Chapter Four:
The next morning Harry was awakened by several officious-sounding hoots. Scrunching his eyes against the glare of the sun shining thru the open window, he saw a large brown owl that somehow seemed to resemble Percy in its attitude as it gazed down at him from its perch on his bedpost and imperially shook its leg at him to try and get Harry to untie the scrolls from his leg.
While untying the items from the owl, Harry saw that it was a Gringotts Owl, although it still acted uncannily like Percy. After accepting some water from Harry the owl flew out the window without a glance back at Harry.
The first item was a short letter from the headmaster stating that he was in charge of Sirius's last will and testament and that he would need to pickup Harry later that day around eleven a.m. and take him to Gringotts where they would meet Remus to finalize the will and Harry would be to do some shopping at Diagon Alley afterwards. He then apologized again for what happened last in his office. He would get Harry and take him over to Mrs Figg's house and floo out from there. Harry understood when he didn't mention anything vaguely specific since neither of them wanted Tom to know what was in the prophecy.
Harry slapped himself upside his head. The Prophecy! What was he going to tell Hermione and Ron about it? Even worse…what was he going to tell GINNY? I'm definitely not looking forward to either one but I think I'd rather be the guinea pig for all future testing of the twins' jokes rather than tell Ginny I've been hiding something like this from her. She scares me more than Tom ever did. Harry shuddered at this particular thought. Well Potter, I think you might as well bite the bullet and tell them, the question is just going to be when? I guess I can ask Professor Dumbledore today when I see him. I really do miss Sirius so much it hurts but I can only guess how bad Prof—MOONY is taking it. Harry had to catch himself since Remus was no longer his professor and the closest thing to family he had left since the Dursleys didn't count in Harry's opinion. He only has me left after Sirius ----- Harry had to take several deep breaths before he could even continue that train of thought. ---After Sirius passed through the Veil and Wormtail is a good-for-nothing, snake-eater.
The next letter Harry nearly dropped when he saw who it was from. It was from Sirius and it was dated only a couple of weeks before he disappeared through the veil.
Dear Harry,
If you are reading this, then something has happened to me and I'm no longer among the land of the living. I know that I haven't been the world's best godfather to you. I should have listened to James and kept my big mouth shut about changing secret keepers to Peter. (That dirty rat!) But as much as I regret saying this, since you saved his life, he DOES owe you a Wizard's Debt so that might just save your bacon when you least expect it. We need any edge we can get over Old Snake-Face.
Now I know you and Snivellus don't get along but hey I can't stand the git either! But you do need his Advanced Potions if you want to be an Auror like Minerva mentioned to me. I detest saying anything good about that git Snape, but he does know his potions. I'm still not sure how far you can trust him though. Like any other Slytherin, the number one thing he is looking out for is himself.
Now something I need to say before I loose my nerve. I know that you aren't too happy with Albus in making you stay with the Dursleys. Well now that I'm gone, he is your official guardian until your 17th birthday when you become a man, at least in some ways. I would have named Remus but with the prejudice in the Ministry and the rest of the Wizarding world, I couldn't take the chance that something would happen. I wish I could be there to give you the TALK when you become a man the RIGHT WAY and also be there to give you tips on how to make the ladies moan your name in delight. For some reason I get the feeling that hearing it from Remus or Albus won't quite be the same. Now since I'm the last of the Blacks, my will basically states that you and Remus each get half of the Black Fortune and share the house although there are a few conditions which I've left with Albus. Simply put though what the conditions are is that you and Moony need to live there and make it a home – doing what needs to be done to make it so thereby getting those Dursleys out of the picture. Speaking of pictures, somebody needs to deal with that nasty old hag of my mum in the hallway. I suggested a sharp knife to Albus before but he wouldn't let me. I guess he had flashbacks of what I did to the Fat Lady which I am sorry for. Harry, maybe the twins can give you a hand with her eh? Also Kreature needs to be dealt with since there are no more Blacks to serve. You do need a house elf or two to help with the house though. Possibly your friend Dobby may want to?
BUT ONE THING THAT I DEFINITELY DO *NOT* WANT YOU TO DO HARRY IS BLAME YOURSELF FOR ANYTHING THAT VOLDEMORT HAS HAD A HAND IN! I'm most likely dead from some plot of his but I want you to promise me that you won't blame yourself, if you want to blame anyone blame that bastard Riddle 'cause it'll be his fault anyways!!!
I also want you to find a nice girl and snog the living daylights out of her. It took your dad years to finally notice the right girl and ended up with both her and you. Keep your eyes out for cute redheads since it seems that's what it seems the Potters are infamous for. I seem to remember that Arthur's youngest has had her eyes on you so you might want to give her a chance. Don't shut her or your friends out to protect them though. It's their decision to be with you and we all know the risks of loving you. Yes your friends love you in their own ways and I know I love you as well as Remus.
Since this was the Weasley Twins final year, it is up to you to carry on the Marauder Tradition: Honor, Loyalty, and Pranking the Heck outta all Slytherins especially those named Snape and Malfoy.
Love,
Sirius "Padfoot" Black
Harry was in tears well before even reaching the end of the letter. It brought back some of the good times he spent with Sirius and of course what happened at the Ministry where it happened. But he silently promised Sirius that he would take his advice, all of his advice, especially where it involved a certain family of redheads, particularly one in specific. But he wasn't relishing having to face her six very overprotective brothers although Harry thought he would at least have Mr. and Mrs. Weasley on his side.
He gripped the amulet he had taken to wearing around his neck and thought of Ginny. He gasped and nearly released it when he felt a wave of pleasant emotions wash through him. He held it up to the light and examined it more closely. There were some runes that he had not noticed earlier inscribed on the back but since he hadn't taken Ancient Runes, Harry had no clue what they meant.
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Harry's alarm clock starting going off. Harry glanced at the time and saw it was seven a.m. Time to feed the livestock Harry thought. Especially since Dudley and uncle Vernon so resemble the pigs that they eat like. And Aunt Petunia I should just strap a feedbag onto that horsey-looking mug. I know it's not nice but since I can't hex em, I gotta let out the frustration somehow.
Harry ventured downstairs to start breakfast and get himself something before the rest of the household could start their petty bickering.