Chapter 5
The Last Testament
The next day, Harry woke up with Ron pounding his head with a pillow. "Shut it Ron!" Harry growled.
"Harry, Mum tells me to wake you up. She said that you're going to the Ministry of Magic with Dad, Lupin and her. I wonder why though. You haven't gotten yourself expelled have you?"
"Of course I haven't. I'm going to hear Sirius's last testament. AND STOP WACKING ME WITH THAT THING!" Harry said so loud it almost seem like he was yelling.
"Oh. Sorry."
"Where are YOU going? Seeming that you're all dressed up." Harry sat up, asking grudgingly.
"Hermione, Ginny and I are going to Diagon Alley to get our supplies. We just got our list of books for next year. Don't worry; mum says you can join us after you come back from the Ministry."
"Alright." At that, Harry cheered up a bit, still feeling down at the prospect of having to hear Sirius' will and bring back the horrible memories to him.
"HARRY DEAR! IF YOU DON'T COME DOWN HERE IN 5 MORE MINUTES, YOU ARE GOING TO BE LATE FOR THE MEETING! AND DO MIND TO WEAR SOME DECENT CLOTHING. " Mrs. Weasley yelled from downstairs.
For a split of a second, Harry forgot that the portrait of Ms. Black had been removed, as he involuntarily muffled his head in his pillow. When the shrieking curses were not being yelled out, he then suddenly remembered the fact. Whoever was left with the house, at least the person wouldn't have to deal with that damned portrait. He thought sarcastically.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After a quick breakfast, Mr. Weasley handed Harry a sickle, telling him that it was a portkey. Before he knew it, he was being transported to the Ministry of Magic, with again the familiar jerk of his bottom.
He landed with a thud, nearly throwing him over. He stood up, smoothing down his clothes and inspecting the environment around him. He noticed that he was in the Atrium, the place where Harry's last battle was fought. The fountain, which usually contained the statues of a wizard, a centaur, and a house-elf in resonance, now contained a statue of Dumbledore. Probably to apologize to Dumbledore for not trusting him and accusing him of being senile and wanting to takeover the position of the Minister of Magic. Harry thought, repressing a snort.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Lupin appeared beside him with three faint "pops". "This way Harry." Mr. Weasley said quietly. They led him to the elevator, down to the fourth floor and arrived inside a small conference room. The furniture and walls of the room were all either black or wine colored. Fits right in the mood, Harry thought sarcastically. In the room, seated already were Narcissa Malfoy, Nymphadora Tonks, some other relatives that apparently have drifted apart but were here to try claiming a piece of the Sirius' estate. However, to Harry's surprise, he found Dumbledore seated as well, smiling down at him, at the end of the table.
"Ahem", a voice rang out after Harry and the Weasleys were seated. Harry looked around to find the source of the voice. From the other end of the long table, a tall, lanky wizard whose hair was bald in the middle, leaving only a ring of gray-black hair around his head, stood now with a letter clutched in his hands.
"Now that everyone has arrived, let us begin."
He opened the letter and took out a piece of parchment. The parchment suddenly started to glow gold, and Sirius's clear voice could be heard throughout the whole room.
" I, Sirius Black write this will and name this as my last testament. If you are reading this before Voldemort has perished, then I apologize to Harry that I have not been able to fulfill my duty as a godfather. I know that I have died, due to my own temper and will, and no one is to be blamed on this. I repeat, NO ONE! If anyone blames my death on himself or herself I'll make sure they won't be happy after they pass away too, and meet me in the place of the Afterlife."
At hearing this, Harry felt his eyes become steadily blurred with tears, but he forced himself not to breakdown in front of everyone, especially not Narcissa.
" However, if this is read after Voldemort has been killed, then lets just say that I'm either old or that I have been neglecting my health, which is to say that it is none of you lots business. I hereby declare that my money in my personal vault shall be distributed into five equal parts. The first part is to my dear godson Harry Potter, and I give my apologies again for not being able to take care of you."
Harry felt that his tears dangerously tipping from his eyes.
"The second part is to my dear cousin Nymphadora Tonks, and I give her my wishes to try to rectify your clumsiness, and become a highly successful Auror."
Harry saw Tonks sobbing quietly, and searched her bag for a handkerchief, which accidentally tipped the chair beside her, while landing with a "crash". However, she was too sad to say sorry. The almost-bald wizard though, merely gave her a glance before continuing with the will.
" The third part of my money is left to Authur and Molly Weasley, who although have not saw things with me eye-to-eye, I am still grateful at the way you regard Harry as your very own son. I therefore wish that you will take care of Harry for me, if Harry is still under the age of 20."
At this, Mrs. Weasley broke-down, sobbing into her hands while Mr. Weasley patted her gently on the back, himself looking glum too.
" The fourth part is left to my friend, and the only living true Maurader (hopefully you are still alive when this will is read) left, Remus Lupin. I hope you are well my friend? Take care of Harry, and make sure he becomes a very powerful wizard when he grows up. Take care of yourself my friend for the world has its prejudices."
Harry saw Lupin gripping the edge of the table fiercely; his knuckles extremely white, and are still steadying becoming even whiter.
" And the last part of my money goes to Albus Dumbledore . Please feel free to use it when needed, and hopefully this will be something useful I can do for it."
Dumbledore sat straight, however, his eyes had lost its twinkle, and he appeared a lot older to Harry.
"All the family jewelry and silverware in my personal vault is to be equally distributed among Harry Potter, Molly Weasley, Remus Lupin and Nymphdora Tonks. Last of all, the Pensieve in my vault, stored with some of my favored memories goes to Harry Potter."
"I am sorry to say to the rest of the people sitting here will not claim a single knut of my property. I have broken my bond with the Black family and all those that support them. I'll just give you my best wishes, and hope none of you will do anything to make me turn over in my grave.
Harry could see Narcissa Malfoy and the rest of the relatives in the room starting to scowl and shooting death glares to whoever had the courage to look at them. Harry could tell that none of the other relative lots were anywhere near decent. Harry wondered about who will own Grimmaulds Place, but then thought that Sirius probably didn't legally own the place, and even if he did he didn't want to speak about it, just in case Narcissa might think it was the headquarters of the Order and report it to Lucius Malfoy.
"And that is the end of my last testament. Thank you for joining this hearing, while some of you will be leaving empty-handed and disappointed, but never less, good day to you all."
The bald wizard then said, " All the money and processions of Mr. Black will be automatically distributed into the personal vaults of the names listed."
With those words as the end of the hearing, Harry exited the conference room with his gaze located on the floor. He didn't even care when Narcissa bumped into him, causing him to stumble. He was feeling too much grief now to apprehend anything. He didn't even so much as respond when Lupin laid his hands on Harry's shoulder, saying, "Harry?" gently, and then sigh when Harry didn't respond. Harry felt his brain go numb, while his eyes were still blurry with the tears that were still dangerously about to spill over.
"I will go back to Hogwarts, to ahh-attend to some business that haven't settled down yet. Farewell." And with that Dumbledore apparated back to Hogwarts. (I know you can't apparate INTO Hogwarts, but what I apparently meant was that Dumbledore apparated to the Hogwarts gate).
"Lets go then." Mr. Weasley said, " this time by floo."
Harry nodded slowly, not comprehending what Mr. Weasley had said.
"Okay, I'll go first." Mr. Weasley said, grabbing a handful of floo powder, "Diagon Alley!" with a flash of emerald flames, he was gone.
Mrs. Weasley went next, and she too disappeared into the flames.
"After you, Harry." Lupin said to Harry.
Harry still looking dazed took a handful of floo powder, however he choked on the hot ashes of the flames and muttered: "Diagon Alley" in a forlorn voice, felt himself whizzing and spinning through thousands of wizard fires.
Lupin, who was the last to go, blinked and thought to himself, "what did he just say?"
The next day, Harry woke up with Ron pounding his head with a pillow. "Shut it Ron!" Harry growled.
"Harry, Mum tells me to wake you up. She said that you're going to the Ministry of Magic with Dad, Lupin and her. I wonder why though. You haven't gotten yourself expelled have you?"
"Of course I haven't. I'm going to hear Sirius's last testament. AND STOP WACKING ME WITH THAT THING!" Harry said so loud it almost seem like he was yelling.
"Oh. Sorry."
"Where are YOU going? Seeming that you're all dressed up." Harry sat up, asking grudgingly.
"Hermione, Ginny and I are going to Diagon Alley to get our supplies. We just got our list of books for next year. Don't worry; mum says you can join us after you come back from the Ministry."
"Alright." At that, Harry cheered up a bit, still feeling down at the prospect of having to hear Sirius' will and bring back the horrible memories to him.
"HARRY DEAR! IF YOU DON'T COME DOWN HERE IN 5 MORE MINUTES, YOU ARE GOING TO BE LATE FOR THE MEETING! AND DO MIND TO WEAR SOME DECENT CLOTHING. " Mrs. Weasley yelled from downstairs.
For a split of a second, Harry forgot that the portrait of Ms. Black had been removed, as he involuntarily muffled his head in his pillow. When the shrieking curses were not being yelled out, he then suddenly remembered the fact. Whoever was left with the house, at least the person wouldn't have to deal with that damned portrait. He thought sarcastically.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After a quick breakfast, Mr. Weasley handed Harry a sickle, telling him that it was a portkey. Before he knew it, he was being transported to the Ministry of Magic, with again the familiar jerk of his bottom.
He landed with a thud, nearly throwing him over. He stood up, smoothing down his clothes and inspecting the environment around him. He noticed that he was in the Atrium, the place where Harry's last battle was fought. The fountain, which usually contained the statues of a wizard, a centaur, and a house-elf in resonance, now contained a statue of Dumbledore. Probably to apologize to Dumbledore for not trusting him and accusing him of being senile and wanting to takeover the position of the Minister of Magic. Harry thought, repressing a snort.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Lupin appeared beside him with three faint "pops". "This way Harry." Mr. Weasley said quietly. They led him to the elevator, down to the fourth floor and arrived inside a small conference room. The furniture and walls of the room were all either black or wine colored. Fits right in the mood, Harry thought sarcastically. In the room, seated already were Narcissa Malfoy, Nymphadora Tonks, some other relatives that apparently have drifted apart but were here to try claiming a piece of the Sirius' estate. However, to Harry's surprise, he found Dumbledore seated as well, smiling down at him, at the end of the table.
"Ahem", a voice rang out after Harry and the Weasleys were seated. Harry looked around to find the source of the voice. From the other end of the long table, a tall, lanky wizard whose hair was bald in the middle, leaving only a ring of gray-black hair around his head, stood now with a letter clutched in his hands.
"Now that everyone has arrived, let us begin."
He opened the letter and took out a piece of parchment. The parchment suddenly started to glow gold, and Sirius's clear voice could be heard throughout the whole room.
" I, Sirius Black write this will and name this as my last testament. If you are reading this before Voldemort has perished, then I apologize to Harry that I have not been able to fulfill my duty as a godfather. I know that I have died, due to my own temper and will, and no one is to be blamed on this. I repeat, NO ONE! If anyone blames my death on himself or herself I'll make sure they won't be happy after they pass away too, and meet me in the place of the Afterlife."
At hearing this, Harry felt his eyes become steadily blurred with tears, but he forced himself not to breakdown in front of everyone, especially not Narcissa.
" However, if this is read after Voldemort has been killed, then lets just say that I'm either old or that I have been neglecting my health, which is to say that it is none of you lots business. I hereby declare that my money in my personal vault shall be distributed into five equal parts. The first part is to my dear godson Harry Potter, and I give my apologies again for not being able to take care of you."
Harry felt that his tears dangerously tipping from his eyes.
"The second part is to my dear cousin Nymphadora Tonks, and I give her my wishes to try to rectify your clumsiness, and become a highly successful Auror."
Harry saw Tonks sobbing quietly, and searched her bag for a handkerchief, which accidentally tipped the chair beside her, while landing with a "crash". However, she was too sad to say sorry. The almost-bald wizard though, merely gave her a glance before continuing with the will.
" The third part of my money is left to Authur and Molly Weasley, who although have not saw things with me eye-to-eye, I am still grateful at the way you regard Harry as your very own son. I therefore wish that you will take care of Harry for me, if Harry is still under the age of 20."
At this, Mrs. Weasley broke-down, sobbing into her hands while Mr. Weasley patted her gently on the back, himself looking glum too.
" The fourth part is left to my friend, and the only living true Maurader (hopefully you are still alive when this will is read) left, Remus Lupin. I hope you are well my friend? Take care of Harry, and make sure he becomes a very powerful wizard when he grows up. Take care of yourself my friend for the world has its prejudices."
Harry saw Lupin gripping the edge of the table fiercely; his knuckles extremely white, and are still steadying becoming even whiter.
" And the last part of my money goes to Albus Dumbledore . Please feel free to use it when needed, and hopefully this will be something useful I can do for it."
Dumbledore sat straight, however, his eyes had lost its twinkle, and he appeared a lot older to Harry.
"All the family jewelry and silverware in my personal vault is to be equally distributed among Harry Potter, Molly Weasley, Remus Lupin and Nymphdora Tonks. Last of all, the Pensieve in my vault, stored with some of my favored memories goes to Harry Potter."
"I am sorry to say to the rest of the people sitting here will not claim a single knut of my property. I have broken my bond with the Black family and all those that support them. I'll just give you my best wishes, and hope none of you will do anything to make me turn over in my grave.
Harry could see Narcissa Malfoy and the rest of the relatives in the room starting to scowl and shooting death glares to whoever had the courage to look at them. Harry could tell that none of the other relative lots were anywhere near decent. Harry wondered about who will own Grimmaulds Place, but then thought that Sirius probably didn't legally own the place, and even if he did he didn't want to speak about it, just in case Narcissa might think it was the headquarters of the Order and report it to Lucius Malfoy.
"And that is the end of my last testament. Thank you for joining this hearing, while some of you will be leaving empty-handed and disappointed, but never less, good day to you all."
The bald wizard then said, " All the money and processions of Mr. Black will be automatically distributed into the personal vaults of the names listed."
With those words as the end of the hearing, Harry exited the conference room with his gaze located on the floor. He didn't even care when Narcissa bumped into him, causing him to stumble. He was feeling too much grief now to apprehend anything. He didn't even so much as respond when Lupin laid his hands on Harry's shoulder, saying, "Harry?" gently, and then sigh when Harry didn't respond. Harry felt his brain go numb, while his eyes were still blurry with the tears that were still dangerously about to spill over.
"I will go back to Hogwarts, to ahh-attend to some business that haven't settled down yet. Farewell." And with that Dumbledore apparated back to Hogwarts. (I know you can't apparate INTO Hogwarts, but what I apparently meant was that Dumbledore apparated to the Hogwarts gate).
"Lets go then." Mr. Weasley said, " this time by floo."
Harry nodded slowly, not comprehending what Mr. Weasley had said.
"Okay, I'll go first." Mr. Weasley said, grabbing a handful of floo powder, "Diagon Alley!" with a flash of emerald flames, he was gone.
Mrs. Weasley went next, and she too disappeared into the flames.
"After you, Harry." Lupin said to Harry.
Harry still looking dazed took a handful of floo powder, however he choked on the hot ashes of the flames and muttered: "Diagon Alley" in a forlorn voice, felt himself whizzing and spinning through thousands of wizard fires.
Lupin, who was the last to go, blinked and thought to himself, "what did he just say?"