Author's Note:

QueenWeasel - I'm afraid it's going to be a bumpy ride for Harry - lots of ups and downs. Please keep reading, though, there's always good along with the bad. : )

MinorMistake99 - Thanks for the continued input. Please stay tuned. : )

CHAPTER FOUR - THE LETTER

Over the next few weeks of the holiday, Harry resolved to fight Voldemort in every way possible. Every night before bed he strove as hard as he could to empty his mind of all thought and emotion as Dumbledore had instructed. This was sometimes more difficult to do than at other times, but so far Harry had experienced no more terrifying nightmares involving losing those he cared about the most. Harry had caught Ron, Hermione, and even Ginny sneaking furtively anxious looks at him when they thought he wasn't looking. Partially because of this, Harry endeavored to be as productive as possible. He felt more stable when he was actually staying busy and useful. He worked on his homework, which he had been entirely too preoccupied to do until now anyway, then Harry volunteered to help Mrs. Weasley with any housekeeping chores she was willing to set him.

Finally, when the last day of the holidays had arrived, Harry found himself eager to get back to school. He hoped that Dumbledore had been able to find a competent Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for Harry felt the more he could learn now, the more confident he would feel when he faced Voldemort again. Harry had tried his best to accept the prophecy and all of its consequences since telling Ron and Hermione about it the month before. Harry didn't ever want to be caught off-guard again.

The next day, though, as Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny sat in their compartment on the Hogwarts Express - Ron and Hermione had just returned from their prefect duties - Harry gazed silently out the window unsure of how he really felt about returning to school. The last year at Hogwarts had been so miserable for Harry that as he spotted the turrets of the castle poking through the fog in the distance, he found that he had a slight case of the nerves.

"Well, it can't be any worse than last year, can it?" Ron said, as if reading Harry's mind. Hermione gave Ron a quelling look, though, as she picked up Crookshanks and looked over at Harry.

"Oh Harry, I'm sure this year will be better," she said. Hermione and Ron had both been watching Harry as he looked out the window restlessly. Ginny, too, had kept a close eye on him ever since the train had pulled out from King's Cross Station that morning. "For one thing, Umbridge is gone," Hermione continued, smirking.

"Unless Fudge has decided to put another evil Ministry hag in her place," Ron put in, frowning. Harry frowned, too.

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that," Ginny spoke up suddenly, looking at Harry.

"Why not?" Ron and Hermione both asked at the same time.

"Well ...." Ginny grinned rather impishly at the three of them, "Fred and George saw fit to lend me some extendable ears for the summer."

"What did you hear?" Ron wanted to know.

"One night when Mum and Dad thought we were all in bed, they started whispering down in the dining room with the door open." Ginny explained. "I heard them say that Dumbledore had filled all the posts at school and that he wasn't allowing Fudge or the Ministry within a mile of Hogwarts this year." Ginny stated, matter-of-factly.

"Good," said Harry, speaking for the first time the entire trip, "One less thing to worry about." He saw Ron, Hermione, and Ginny give each other a look before glancing back at him as the train started to slow down. Harry Potter, for good or ill, was back at Hogwarts once again.

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As Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny clambered up the stone steps of the entryway into Hogwarts Castle, Harry noticed that the fog outside was giving the windows in the upper towers a mystical glittering glow. Once inside, the Great Hall also reflected the fog swirling outside as Harry sat down at the Gryffindor table. Dumbledore and many of the teachers were sitting up front at the staff table as usual. "This almost feels normal again," Harry thought, trying to relax.

The doors to the hall opened again, admitting Professor McGonagall and tiny Professor Flitwick along with a number of very small nervous-looking first years. Professor McGonagall didn't lead them to the front, but instead walked toward the Gryffindor table and spotting Harry, headed toward him. As Professor Flitwick proceeded to the front with the first years, Professor McGonagall bent over Harry and whispered, "I need you to come with me to my office, Potter. It will only take a moment," Professor McGonagall said to quell Harry's sudden look of trepidation. "Something has arrived for you."

As Harry and Professor McGonagall departed quietly, he noticed that many more smiles and waves were aimed in his direction than he had experienced last year. Now that it was common knowledge that Voldemort was indeed amongst them once more, Harry was seen as being rather heroic by many in the school, especially by his own house. And although this support had meant nothing to him at the end of last year, now he felt somewhat comforted by it. It was certainly better than being reviled and mistrusted. Harry wondered what could have arrived for him that wasn't being brought to him directly by his own Hedwig. Once in McGonagall's office, she carefully closed the door behind them.

"Have a seat, Potter," Professor McGonagall said, in her businesslike demeanor. She opened a cabinet and pulled out a thick manila envelope. As she turned back to Harry, McGonagall's manner softened considerably.

"This is yours, Potter," she said, gently, handing the envelope to Harry.

"What is it?" he asked.

"It's Sirius' estate, Potter, it's yours now," McGonagall answered, softly.

Harry was stunned. As he opened the envelope several thick pieces of parchment toppled out of it and onto his lap. The topmost page read:

I, Sirius Black, being of sound mind and body, do bequeath onto Harry James Potter, my godson, all my estate including all assets and securities of the Black family estate.

Harry gazed wide-eyed at the parchment. "Professor," he asked, "what does this mean?"

"It means that you are now the owner of Sirius' estate, including Grimmauld Place." she said, quietly. "Or you will be upon your seventeenth birthday, when you are of age."

"Sirius left the Black family estate to me?" Harry asked again, not taking a bit of it in.

"Yes," McGonagall repeated. "He considered you to be his heir, Potter. He said he wanted to make sure you would be taken care of." As Harry looked up at her, he noticed that she looked slightly misty-eyed.

"Well, Potter, we really should be returning to the feast," McGonagall sniffed, her tone a bit more brisk. "It's getting late."

Harry nodded blankly but did not rise from the chair. McGonagall paused at the doorway looking back at Harry; her face showing the worry that Harry facing the other direction could not see. "Stay as long as you like," she added softly, and with that shut the door.

Harry couldn't believe it; Sirius had left his entire estate to him. After sitting dumbfounded for a few moments longer, Harry got up to go back to the feast, but as he got to the entrance and heard all the voices and clattering of china, he realized he was no longer hungry. Harry wanted quiet and decided to go to Gryffindor tower. Harry got all the way to the Fat Lady's portrait before he realized where he was. Just as he looked up at her, however, Colin Creevey came clambering out of the portrait hole. Colin seemed transported with delight at the sight of Harry standing there.

"Hi ya, Harry!" Colin beamed at him, almost running him over in his enthusiasm.

"Hi, Colin," Harry said numbly, his mind still on Sirius.

"I'm a prefect, Harry, do you believe it?" Colin gushed, pointing ecstatically to the new shiny red badge on his robes.

"Oh," said Harry, "great, Colin."

"The password is 'tiddlywinks,' by the way, so you know," Colin continued, practically bobbing up and down, seemingly oblivious to Harry's mood.

"Thanks," said Harry, eager to escape.

"See ya, Harry!" Harry heard from behind him as he quickly climbed in while the portrait was still open.

Harry was the only one in his dormitory as he sat on his four-poster bed holding the manila envelope. He pulled his curtains closed and poured out the rest of the contents on his mattress. Other than the will itself, most of it was very formal legal-looking documents that Harry made a mental note to ask Mr. Weasley about later, if necessary. One thing that fell out, however, was a small light blue envelope. When Harry turned it over he saw his name written on it; it was in Sirius' handwriting. Harry opened it frantically, wondering what Sirius had written to him.

Harry,

If you are reading this it means that I am no longer with you. I am sorry because the last thing I would want to do is leave you alone. I feel responsible for you, Harry, both for your well being and your happiness. You are so like your parents, Harry. You are adventurous and brave like you father, but also mature and sensitive like your mother. It has been such a joy getting to know you. You will be a much better man than I am, I think. Everything I have, I happily give to you - you deserve it. I hope your future will bring you much joy and happiness. You are capable of great things, Harry, which I hope you are beginning to realize. I know you feel quite able to take care of yourself, but do not forget to depend on those you care about; I've seen you get reclusive sometimes. If you ever get lonely just remember - I will be where your parents are now - you can always find us in your heart. You are strong, Harry, you will be all right. Please know that your parents and I love you very much. Take care of yourself, Harry, and become the great man you were born to be.

Sirius

A little while later Harry lay looking up at the canopy of his bed feeling thoroughly miserable. He felt like he was on an emotional roller coaster that he couldn't get off of. The letter Sirius had left him had brought forth powerful emotions that Harry just couldn't deny. He missed Sirius so much he felt like he would never feel whole or normal again. Just then, Ron and Hermione came bursting into the dormitory calling Harry's name. They stopped, though, when they saw that his curtains were drawn.

"Maybe he's asleep," Ron suggested, but only half-heartedly.

"Harry, are you all right?" Hermione asked, worriedly. "Did something happen?"

Harry grimaced and reluctantly opened his curtains. "I'm all right," he said in a muffled voice.

Hermione came closer and said, "I know something has happened, Harry," she said, quietly. "You can tell us."

Harry sat up and tucked Sirius' letter back into the larger envelope. He slowly pushed the curtains back from his bed. "Sirius has given me his estate, including Grimmauld Place," he said, just above a whisper.

"Wow," gasped Hermione.

Ron came a bit closer as well, "But this is good news, Harry, you can leave the Dursley's now, if you want." Harry frowned, he hadn't thought of that. "Yeah, mate, you'll never have to see them again." Ron kept going, trying to cheer Harry up.

This information actually did make Harry feel a bit better. Harry had wanted to leave the Dursley's ever since he had found out he was a wizard five years ago. He detested living with the Dursley's; they had never shown even the remotest amount of affection for him, even though they were Harry's only living blood relatives. Harry had never been happy in their home; the Dursley's had always made it clear that he wasn't wanted. Knowing that he would never have to return there was a great relief; Harry actually began to feel hungry and wished he hadn't missed dinner. Harry's stomach even growled audibly at the thought. Hermione jumped as though suddenly remembering something.

"Wait," she said, flying through the door. When she came back, Hermione was holding a large cloth napkin full of warm rolls. Harry looked at her, surprised. "I brought them to the common room just in case you were hungry." Harry took them gratefully, feeling far better than he had in a long time.