Disclaimer: All Harry Potter™ characters and settings are the sole property of JK Rowling. No money is being made with this fanfiction and no copyright infringement is intended. All that belongs to me is the plot!
Spoilers for all five books. It's rated at PG-13 for now and there are no romantic pairings at the moment, but that is subject to change depending on future plotlines. Comments can be sent to jewel_of_atlantis@yahoo.co.uk
Chapter 5: Welcome to the Black Family!
Harry sat in the plush navy sofa in what could be considered to be the living room of the suite they were resting it. Harry barely remembered flooing to the hotel and checking in, before getting to the suite. Instead, he had stumbled into what looked to be a bedroom and fell asleep.
Harry found himself in a very strange dream. It had started in the office, just as he was about to sign the contract. However, he did not see the scene from his point of view, but rather from above. The ink pronouncing Harry James Black Potter glistened on the parchment as it dried. A few seconds later, the unusual white light appeared from nowhere. Except from this viewpoint, Harry could see that it had emanated from within him, from his chest.
Harry barely had a moment to consider the implications when he was torn away from Austin's office. He found himself in nowhere. Technically, the description was not true. It was obviously somewhere but there was nothing to indicate where he was. There were no landmarks, no people, and no items.
In fact, what puzzled Harry the most was the lack of light and shadow. Harry could not even begin to explain it, nor did he understand it. He could see. However, there was nothing to see. There was no source of light and no features to provide a shadow. Yet, Harry knew that the light and shadow was merely hidden. It was a void, yet Harry could sense ... something.
Harry felt a pull within his soul, become more insistent and so he followed it. The scene changed once more. He was in Austin's office again and this time he was seeing events from his own eyes. It was normality. Well, as close as to normal when you were the Boy-Who-Lived.
Harry shook his head. The dream did not disturb him, but rather provided him with a measure of comfort he could not explain. Instead, Harry tried to focus his attentions on the pile of paper in his lap while it was quiet.
Remus had gone down to the reception to order some snacks and drinks, while Tonks was in the bathroom, if the off-key singing was anything to go by. Harry winced at a particularly loud off-key note.
Harry had finally discovered what that nagging feeling in Austin's office had been about. The file had a picture of the Black family crest, something that Harry had never really noticed before. It was stamped onto almost every piece of parchment in his pile. The papers that he had scanned, so far, were filled with legal nonsense and mostly dealt with the Black Estate through the ages. It mainly talked about the line of inheritance and Harry wondered what Sirius would have said if he could see it now. Under his Godfather's name was his own, having been magically added upon the signing of the contract.
The door to their suite opened and closed without Harry noticing. It was only when Remus sat down at the dining table and coughed, did Harry look up. "You're back" he said, realising as soon as the words were out that it had been an incredibly stupid observation.
"I spoke to the witches downstairs, once they stopped giggling that is, and got them to send up a selection of food for tea" Remus said, running a hand through his greying hair. "It's been a while since I've had to use my French. I might have embarrassed myself down there"
"What did you say?"
A light blush stained his cheeks. "I may have asked for a naked breakfast"
"Moony!"
"What? I meant to say we wanted our breakfast brought up in the morning. Except I said 'breakfast in bed' rather badly I think"
Harry sniggered, ignoring the scowl that Remus sent him. "Nice one Moony"
"I'd like to see you do better. Can you speak French?"
"Umm." Harry stalled for a moment before continuing. "No? But that only mean that I can't embarrass myself like that!"
Remus rolled his eyes and decided to change the subject. "Are those the papers Austin gave you?"
"That they are. It's all gobbledegook to me really" Harry replied. He got up and walked over to the table, bringing the bundles of parchment. He laid the one he had been examining out in front of Remus and himself. "The Black Estate papers have a magically updating family tree by the looks of it. Here"
Harry pointed a finger at the area he wanted Remus to look at. Remus followed the finger. "Well that's not wholly unexpected I guess"
"How so?"
"You signed the papers, you accepted Sirius naming you as his dependant and heir. As such, he pretty much adopted you" Remus said.
"But how can I be on the Black family tree. Isn't this kind of thing based on blood magic?"
"In most cases, yes" Remus replied. "But not all"
"Great" Harry groaned. "Is this another case of 'Harry Potter is the Boy-Who-Lived so let's make things special where he's concerned'"
"It's rare, I'll grant you that but not unheard of" Remus said. "An heir is not necessarily bound by blood. In some cases, it can be by magic"
"Pardon?"
"I think ... and this is only a theory ... but you're Sirius' heir and thus a Black by extension, because you're bonded by magic"
"Are you sure? How?"
Remus shook his head. "I'm really not the person to ask. Flitwick might be better, or some of the charms specialists in the Ministry. Dumbledore might know since he's obviously studied some forms of Ancient Magic. I know of a Professor in Ancestral Magic and Traditions at a University in Italy. All I remember is a small part of what your mother discovered during her advanced studies in Charms. Occasionally, a family that could not have children would use various forms of blood and ancestral magic to 'create' an heir, who is related to the family by blood and magic.
"However, Blood Magic became unfavourable to many people because of it's misrepresentation of being a Dark Art. It isn't but it has many uses in magic, both Light and Dark. Given many people's reactions to this, families adopted the practice of binding through magic."
"So I'm not a Black by blood?" Harry questioned.
"I don't believe so, but you'd have to test it to be sure. I believe Professor Snape could brew a potion for you to find out" Remus replied.
"I'd rather not" Harry spat. "I'm sure I can find out another way. At least I'm not related to the Malfoys then"
"Ah, but you are" Remus interrupted. Harry blinked. "By magic" Remus continued. "You're technically a Black now. You signed that parchment Harry James Black Potter. So technically, you're related to Narcissa and Draco Malfoy"
"As well as my mother and I" a new voice added. Both Remus and Harry turned to see Tonks, who was currently flashing between blue and pink coloured hair.
"Tonks? You're flashing" Harry stated.
"Which one do you prefer?" she asked, striking a pose.
"Blue" Harry replied.
Tonks concentrated and her hair turned blue. She made her way to the table, only stumbling once. "What'cha talking about Harry?"
"Whether I'm related to Malfoy or not. Apparently, Remus thinks I've been bonded to the Black family by magic. Therefore, I'm a Black, but not by blood. Does that make any sense?" Harry asked.
"Umm ... yes?" Tonks replied, though still looking confused.
"No? Me neither"
"Well, I doubt anyone would be able to explain it better than Sirius. You mother may have been the Charms expert but Sirius was tutored in magic since he could read. He probably couldn't best your mother but that doesn't mean he knew nothing at all. Added to that the small library in Grimmauld Place, who knows what he managed to do" Remus added. "It's probably best to just accept it as just is"
"Oh joy. Can you imagine the reaction when Malfoy finds out? Fudge isn't going to be too happy either I bet" Harry said sarcastically.
"Well you should get on with those documents so you can send the papers off to the Ministry" Tonks pointed out.
"Here's a point though" Harry started. "We all know Sirius is- was innocent, but that he's ... dead now, but no-one outside of us and the Death Eaters know. I doubt they'll announce that Sirius died since well they're the bad guys, and because it won't help Malfoy. So why should the Ministry believe me, if and when I send these documents over?"
Remus' answer was short. "They have to"
"Why?"
Tonks decided to answer. "Because the documents you're sending will be magical contracts. They're almost impossible to forge, unless you use some specialised Dark Arts magic and risk invoking several clauses. The mere fact that the signed contract exists means that they have to believe that Sirius has passed on"
"This sounds so cold ... so callous"
Remus looked up. "Talking about Sirius like this?"
"Yes"
The werewolf sighed. "I know" was the only response.
"So what else do you have there Harry?" Tonks questioned in an attempt to change the subject.
"Documents about Sirius' Will ... there are some smaller details he wanted to sort out. Instructions about Grimmauld Place's use, except because of the Fidelius charm it all looks like nonsense. Took me a while to understand what that meant. And apparently I've inherited that traitor too" Harry spat.
"Traitor?" Tonks asked.
"Kreacher"
"Oh"
"What's happened to him?"
"The Hogwarts House elves are 'looking after' him" Remus answered. "I think they've bound his powers temporarily or something like that. House Elf magic can be quite peculiar"
"Well that's perfectly fine for now" Harry muttered. "The less I think of that miserable excuse for a House Elf the better"
"Anything else?"
"Just the fact that although he's given me his motorbike, he says he doesn't know where it is. Last he remembers, Hagrid had it. Something to sort out soon enough"
"You, young man, are not getting on that bike!" Remus scolded, suddenly perking up.
Harry raised an amused eyebrow. "You can't stop me!" he challenged.
Remus stopped to think for a moment before realising that Harry was right. "Right then. You can't ride that bike unless you pass that Muggle exam then. It's a health hazard!"
Harry would have thought it amusing to continue to wind Remus up, but decided that the older wizard in fact was making a valid point. "Well I have to find the thing first. It's been fifteen years. Merlin knows if it'll still work properly. But yes Uncle Moony, I will take a CBT first before using the bike" Harry promised.
Harry pretended that he did not hear Remus' muttered reply of "Not if I get a say!"
Tonks, on the other hand, looked to be confused by something on the family tree. "What's wrong Tonks?" Harry asked.
Tonks looked up at the two wizards with wide eyes. "I think I'm related to Snape!"
"Pardon?" "What!"
"How?" was the combined question.
"There" Tonks said, pointing out a branch that Harry had overlooked. "It looks like he's a second cousin ... I think"
"Oh great" Harry groaned.
"It's really complicated and genealogy is really not my thing! It looks like Snape's mother was Araminta Snape, nee Meliflua. She was Sirius' mother's cousin, which seems simple enough, but it seems she's the youngest daughter in her family and well..." here Tonks' nose crinkled in distaste. "A female, so not included in the line of inheritance. So that means that Snape's not quite my direct cousin, but rather, Sirius' second cousin!"
Remus blinked. "Are you sure?"
"Yes ... I think. Here look" Tonks offered.
Remus quickly scanned the parchment for several minutes. "I think this must be one of the most convoluted family tree's I've ever seen, but that's not really surprising since the Black's are one of the oldest pure-blooded families around. Anyhow, it looks like you're right"
"Did Sirius ever tell you?" Tonks asked curiously.
Remus ran a hand through his greying hair. "No. He didn't. Then again, he did hate Snape at Hogwarts. Why would he admit that Snape was in fact his second cousin? He insisted that most of his blood relations weren't his family, so why would Snape be different?"
"So that would make Snape and I distant cousins then?" Tonks said out loud. "Yuck!"
Remus and Tonks suddenly realised that Harry had not commented on the discovery. They both turned as one to look at the messy-haired teenager. Harry was pale and his eyes were wide in disbelief. He swallowed several times before speaking. "What? How? Why wasn't it on the tapestry in Grimmauld Place?" he asked.
Remus and Tonks could only shrug in answer. "It could quite possibly be there. Were you looking for Snape?" Remus asked.
Harry shook his head. "No I wasn't"
"Well then. I don't know if Sirius told you, but the pureblood families are all related to each other somewhere or another. I doubt it's possible to include everyone on that tapestry and there are other's who were left out, I presume, for whatever reason. On the other hand, we could have missed it completely. I know I didn't pay all that much attention to it" Remus replied.
"Does that mean..."
"..."
"I'm related to Snape?" Harry asked, the disgust in his tone clear.
"I guess so," Tonks replied, ignoring the dark look Harry threw at her.
"Not by blood though" Remus tried to reassure. "You're only related by the fact that you're Sirius' heir"
"That isn't going to help matters!" Harry exclaimed. "Snape already hates me since I'm me. Add the fact that he hated my father and Sirius and now I'm a Black as well! I'm just screwed" he moaned.
Tonks spoke up, though it seemed she didn't want to. "Actually, that's not all"
"What else? Oh wait! I know!" Harry replied in a sarcastic tone. "Since it seems no one knows that Sirius and Snape were second cousins, he could have tried to inherit the Black Estate"
"Umm"
"You're kidding!"
"No. Think about it!" Tonks replied.
"Okay. By magic, I'm definitely Sirius' heir and thus master of the Black Estate, all things considering. However, the problem is that the Ministry still thinks that Sirius was a Death Eater ... bloody idiots!" Harry started. Remus nodded and Harry continued. "So they could try and have Sirius' will invalidated?"
"That's an option that the Ministry and Narcissa Malfoy can pursue. They'd have to go through the courts though"
"But they wouldn't win, right?" Harry pressed. "These papers prove Sirius passed on by the mere fact that they exist right? Therefore, by going to trial, we'd be able to prove that Sirius was innocent. It can only help"
Remus frowned before finally replying with an "I expect so."
"Right then" Harry said with a small hint of satisfaction. "If I hadn't been named Sirius' heir then Narcissa Malfoy could have claimed it, or your mother Tonks"
"That's right, but my mum would likely not win. She was disinherited and it should be somewhere in the papers here. Besides, remember the Black Estate passes down the male line"
"Okay" Harry replied hesitantly. "Now, if Malfoy didn't manage to claim the Estate, say because he's a Death Eater or at least going to be one, which is probably the truth anyway, then the Estate can be claimed by another male relation, such as..."
"There you have it!" Tonks shouted.
"Snape" Harry finished flatly. "Do you think he knew?"
Remus sent a sympathetic smile at Harry. "About what?"
"He could have owned the Black Estate. I bet he'd have loved that. A final nail to Sirius' coffin!" Harry spat.
"Harry" Remus said warningly.
"Stuff it Remus!" Harry snapped. "Sorry, but you know what I think of Snape right now, especially since I managed to protect my thoughts with Occlumency. If he'd been more helpful rather than sneer and mock me ... taunt me then..."
Many minutes passed as Harry calmed himself, pushing the thought of Snape away. Remus shared a look with Tonks, both of them realising the truth of Harry's words. Neither felt too enamoured with Snape either but realised that his skill and status was necessary to defeat Voldemort. Instead, they turned their attention back to Harry who was examining more of the papers on the table in an attempt to distract himself.
As he was reading a section on the vaults that the Estate held at Gringotts, Harry spoke up once more. "I've got to send some of those papers off to Gringotts and the Ministry. I can't see the goblins having much of a problem but what about Fudge?" Harry asked. He looked up to meet Remus' warm brown eyes. "He's not going to like it"
"That's putting it mildly" Remus replied. A glint appeared in his eyes. He had heard all about Umbridge's actions at Hogwarts, though not from Harry. Added the oppression of werewolves only increased his dislike of Fudge and his lackeys. "He's not going to accept it at any rate. I hope you're prepared for trouble. In fact, it might be a good idea to talk to Austin about that tomorrow"
"What do you think Fudge would do?"
Tonks spoke up. "Do those papers include details about your emancipation?"
Harry looked confused for a second. "Umm. Yes. Why?"
"Well, your first problem is getting Fudge to admit Sirius was innocent and now deceased. That's actually easier than the rest, but you actually have to get Fudge to listen to you. If you can do that then I don't think the rest of it's a problem"
"Since the Will states that the Malfoys won't get anything and they can't really contest the Will since we're right and they're wrong" Harry said.
Remus looked slightly amused. "Well if you want to put it like that"
"I like it" Tonks stated with a smile.
Harry smirked. "Anyway, so we prove Sirius is innocent, the Will can't be contested and since I've been emancipated ... I can control the Estate, not Fudge! So all that tripe in the Prophet won't happen"
Remus looked slightly troubled. "With regards to the Black Estate, yes. However, whether that applies to your other assets? I don't know"
"Why not?"
"For starters, Austin would have mentioned it" Remus replied. "Secondly, you know magic is defined in several ways?"
"Yes" Harry drawled, brows furrowing in confusion.
"Well, given that we're dealing with magical contracts, the bindings get more complicated, as is the case with legal things" Remus said. "Austin could better explain this but you're emancipated as Harry James Black Potter." Harry just stared at Remus, who sighed. "Right. Think of the Marauders' Map?" Harry nodded. "When we wrote that, we differentiated ourselves. We'd be identified by our proper names, but to access the map, we'd use our nicknames. Can you understand how the magic differs with the name?"
Harry slowly nodded his head. "With the map's capabilities, it somehow uses magic to identify and place the person, including yourselves." Remus nodded in encouragement. "Where as the protection and security charms, while obviously cast by you, were tied into your nicknames"
Remus smiled. "The basics are correct. That Map is actually enchanted, but that's not the point. The magic is dependent on the name. I'm not prepared to say, but I would assume that your parents would have used your birth name in the documents. Whether that holds true now? I don't know. We'll have to wait until we can ask Austin"
"So Fudge might not be able to get the Black Estate, but he could control my vault even though I'm emancipated" Harry asked.
"He could try, but like your lawyer said, it's unlikely that he can pass such a measure" Remus replied. "There's too much opposition and not enough benefits. There's no point worrying about it now, you can ask Austin tomorrow"
Harry nodded, though still worried, and began to separate several parchments from his pile and push them to the side. Upon Tonks' questioning look, he explained that those were the documents to be sent to Gringotts and the Ministry. He had just finished skimming a long boring page, having not retained a single fact before turning to the next page. Harry was astonished that he was actually reading it, but then he recalled that he had come a long way since the events at the Ministry.
"Merlin!" he exclaimed, having started to read a new document.
"What's wrong?" Remus asked.
"Have you any idea how much the Black Estate includes?" a stunned Harry asked.
"Why do you think Fudge seemed so eager to claim it?" Remus replied dryly.
"I guessed, but this is ... this is scary!" Harry muttered. "This says there are several properties. Grimmauld Place isn't mentioned specifically, but it's one of two properties in Britain. Apparently there's also a chateau in southern France, and one in Germany"
"Sounds like one for each major school of magical education" Tonks commented.
"There are at least five different vaults here! Why would anyone need five vaults?" Harry asked out loud. "They've got investments in several companies, which actually explain the extra vaults somewhat, including Gladrags and..."
"And?" Remus prompted.
"The Noir franchise" Harry said, his voice rising.
"Noir franchise?"
"This hotel for one"
"You own this hotel?" Tonks asked in disbelief.
Harry's mouth flapped like a goldfish for several moments before he regained his senses. "No ... not quite. It's a majority share though"
"You own this hotel?" Tonks repeated.
"Tonks! Good God, why me!" Harry exclaimed, dropping his head onto the table.
Remus reached over and rubbed his shoulder reassuringly and a minute later, Harry raised his head, looking wary and defeated. "This would happen to me, wouldn't it?" he asked.
"Owning a hotel? At sixteen while also having the legal status of an adult?" Tonks remarked. "Completely normal"
Remus had an innocent look on his face. "Well, you can't get a better present for your sixteenth!" he commented. He looked at the other two surprised faces and he could not stop the small twitch of his lips. This broke the tension and all three started to laugh, filling that large room.
Once they had all composed themselves, Harry decided to speak up. "Hell of a gift! Still I wish Sirius was still here. I'd have given it all up," he said.
"We all would" Tonks replied, Remus nodding in agreement. "Think of it as Sirius' present though"
"It's just the kind of thing he would have done you know. He always wanted to do something big for your seventeenth but well ... you'll find out soon enough" Remus said, ignoring Harry's curious look. "So that left sixteen. Use it to remember him by. He'd have wanted you to enjoy yourself and make good use of the Black money. He always referred to it as blood money"
"I think I better send a note to Gringotts along with those papers and find out the actual status of all these accounts and assets" Harry said. He grabbed an available quill and parchment off the table and scratched out a quick note before putting it ontop of the pile.
"Anything else interesting in there Mr Galleonaire?" Tonks asked. Tonks snickered as Harry a glare her way. "What! It's probably true!" she said in her own defence. "I can't believe you own a hotel"
Harry rolled his eyes but made no comment. He skimmed the details of the locations of the other properties and lands owned by the Blacks. It was rather extensive but Harry presumed it had been built up over the years. Harry sighed. He knew that the documents would take a while longer to go through, but it seemed there was nothing else to do, even if it was his birthday.
Remus and Tonks had moved a small distance away to discuss something amongst themselves, but would keep on looking over at Harry. To distract himself from the small print and legal talk, Harry prepared the two set of documents for the Ministry and Gringotts. He was just wondering how he would send them when he didn't have an owl when there was a peck at the window. Before Harry could even get up, Remus had opened the window. It was Fawkes, the Headmaster's phoenix.
Remus removed a letter and scanned it before moving back to the table and writing a quick reply. He blew on the wet ink to dry it before rolling it up once more.
Meanwhile Harry approached the beautiful magical creature. "Would you mind taking several packages for me Fawkes?" he asked. The phoenix stared at him with black beady eyes before bowing his head and letting out a short trill. Harry's heart filled with warmth and he finished off the two packages and was about to attach them to Fawkes' leg when Remus appeared at his elbow. "Can you send this as well?" the werewolf asked. Fawkes allowed Remus to attach his letter. With a cry, the phoenix disappeared, presumably to deliver the packages.
Remus returned to talk to Tonks, who had set up a chessboard, while Harry returned to his paperwork. He made a mental note to suggest that they cancel the hotel dinner and go out instead, after all it was his birthday.
~~~~~~~~~~
Many thanks to RogueFanKC, evilneville, silver, Sharker11, captuniv, LL, Black Vengeance, Earl, Aanchal, and Raph for leaving a review.
RogueFanKC - Consider it's all a mystery to me as well! I think I really need to find a beta reader for this. I think I already explained 1. It was because an alarm went off on Sirius' files, indicating that person died. I mention what it was that nagged Harry in this chapter. It's not a big thing, but something that you'd notice but not place. Now number 2. Someone at Hogwarts did get the letter but it was sent after the school year ended. Who and why? You'll have to wait! As for the Ministry trying to seize assets. The Black Estate is one of the largest which currently (to the Ministry's knowledge) had no executor or heir, but not the only one. Another is the Crouch Estate for example. Narcissa is trying to stop the Ministry from getting Black assets and Fudge? He's just after the money and status, but he considers that fact that Sirius is Harry's Godfather to be a bonus.
silver - Fudge's reactions will come soon. As for what he'll do? The obvious really. Trying to make himself look better by any means possible. He's got a real grudge against Harry now, even more than against Dumbledore. He's going to take satisfaction in making Harry's life hell since he thinks it's Harry's fault he's in this mess now! Stupid isn't he? Nevertheless, sly and manipulative all the same. Maybe he was a Slytherin? I've dropped enough hints about the Potter, Longbottom, Bones etc Estates. Fudge will be around a while though, since this story is about the politics power struggles and it's effect on Harry.
Sharker11 - (1) Harry's not 'devoted' to Hermione. She's not perfect, but Harry acknowledges her strengths. There is no pairings planned as of yet (since this is almost literally off the top of my head. It's open to almost any pairing). Although Harry and Dumbledore have said Voldemort's returned for over a year, most people won't remember that. They'll likely focus on the current news, especially since it's Lord Thingy! *smirk*
(2) As for Remus' supposedly stupid statement. I'm sticking with the saying: 'Better the devil you know'. Fudge may be an idiot, but if he was removed from office, you'd have to have some kind of election or war cabinet. Who's to say that the new Minister won't be a secret Death Eater? Voldemort managed to get spies and Death Eaters everywhere. At this stage, it is stupid to get rid of Fudge, simply because you could end up with someone worse and the Order and the Ministry have enough to deal with.
(3) I admit to only reading the fifth book one and a half times, but I remember Dumbledore saying that the protection was based on Lily's blood. Nowhere does it say it disappears at the coming of age. I believe that the protection will only go if Petunia (and possibly Dudley too) dies, or if Harry does not return there once a year.
Harry is an adult legally, but the protection remains. As a minor, you have a lot of protection when you're at school, more than you probably realise. As an adult, Harry now has to manage the Black Estate and there are other consequences for his other assets. He also has certain responsibilities that will come up later in the story. The main problems arise in the fact that he still has to finish his education. You'll see the extent of Dumbledore's actions in later chapters.
captinuv - Hitches? That's putting it mildly! Actually, Sirius' Will was a surprise, at least the emancipation. Dumbledore's a strange one. I believe he really does love Harry but he also manipulates him. It's going to be a hard one to balance and write. However, the latter is on the right lines. Control. Power. Politics. Malfoy will come into this later and you'll see Fudge's reaction soon.
LL - See the first part of (3) in Sharker11's answer for the protection. You were spot on with A though! Congratulations!
Earl - I prefer independant!Harry too. I hate the fact that he seems rather apathetic about certain things, family especially, and school work. He's got the brains and power and I wish he'd use it! Dumbledore's reaction should be coming up at some point. Wonder what he'll think! LOL. His friend's reactions ... haven't quite decided on all of them yet, but I've got a vague idea.
Aanchal - Fudge isn't, technically, being evil. He's being vindictive, opportunist, a prat, annoying ... a politician. There's no benefit to getting rid of Fudge since it'll lead to many more problems than solutions right now. Besides which, Harry's not quite forgiven the media yet for the lies they printed the previous year, but he will be getting more (unwanted) exposure.