Coming of Age

Chapter 2: Pocket Full of Shells

His feet were tapping under the table. His palms were sweaty, and for some reason he now knew he had unusually large hands and did not know where to put them. He squirmed in his hard oak chair and wished that he could be just about anywhere else. As it were, he was in a very small room at the Ministry of Magic's records department, waiting for the solicitor to come in and read his late Godfather's will. Once again it was professor Dumbledore who got his attention. "Harry, before the will is read, I should prepare you for…" But for what Harry should be prepared for would have to wait as at the very instant the door swung open to reveal a very disgruntled looking goblin accompanied by a portly little wizard in a tweed suit and bowler cap, carrying an armload of scrolls.

Clearing his voice with a polite cough Portly Wizard spoke. "We are here today, for the reading and execution of the last will and testament of Mr. Sirius Black. Reading the will will be myself, Rowan O'Neil. Helping with the execution of said will will be Gringotts goblin Georgoff. Witnesses include Albus Dumbledore and Arthur Weasley." Harry nodded in turn from Dumbledore, who had accompanied Harry to the ministry, to Mr. Weasley who had graciously come over from his office in the misuse of muggle artifacts office. Harry had been wondering when Sirius would have written his will, certainly not when while he was locked up in Azkaban, and before that time he would have been too young to think of such things. He decided in must have been written during those long days of confinement to 12 Grimmauld Place, just as Portly Wizard now known as Rowan O'Neil began again.

"Sunday May 25th 1996, this the last will and testament for me, Sirius Black. Before I start shelling out the goodies, let me get the sentimental stuff out of the way. If someone is reading this, then I must be dead. I had some things to say before I went, and just in case I didn't get a chance to, well here it goes. To James and Lily, I am sorry. I did my best to protect Harry, but I fear I have not been there for him. I tried dear friends, and I did not let that Hell called Azkaban break me. I am with you now. To Remus, the last of the Mauraders, never let anyone make you feel less than the caring, loyal friend that I've always known. To Harry, it is my sincerest hope that I fell by your side, taking out as many death eaters as I could between you and Voldemort. I hope this is read on the eve of the great celebration, toasting your second defeat of the Voldemort. Bury me smiling with gold in my pocket, have a party at my funeral let every wizard rock it. Let the girls that I used know, from way before kiss me from my head to my toe. Give me a paper and a pen so I can write about my life of sin. A Couple bottles of Gin in case I don't get in. Tell all my people I'm alright, nobody cry when I die, an outlaws let me ride, until I get free I lived my life as a convict, got aurors chasing me. Molly, Arthur, take care of Harry, he's on his own and life goes no.

Well, that's about as poetic as I am going to get, so what's say we get down to the heart of things. I have actually two estates to dispose of once I am gone, the Black family and the Potter family. I was, as Harry's guardian, executor of the Potter estate until Harry reached adulthood. This of course will be his in its entirety when he comes of age. As the last remaining Black, I leave the entire Black estate, property, and holdings to Harry as well. He can access this too, when he comes of age. My last little bit of business is this. By the power vested in me by James and Lily Potter, as the godfather of Harry Potter, I declare him to be hereby emancipated. He is from this second on, 'Of Age.' Good luck Harry, I hope this helps you start your new life. Never forget how much I love you, and I will always be with you. That's it, give the kid his money and let him go."

Rowan O'Neil rolled up the parchment and sat it on the oak table. After taking several deep breaths he unrolled another of the parchments and explained. This is the Potter estate holdings. It includes Gringott's stock, the contents of the family vaults, and the property in Godric's Hollow." The document was passed around and signed appropriately by Harry and his witnesses. "Next is the Black family estate, consisting of Mr. Black's personal vault, the London property at 12 Grimmauld Place, and Gringott's stock as well." Again the document was passed and signed. "And finally, this is the legal document declaring Mr. Potter a recognized emancipated adult." When this document was signed and rolled Rowan O'Neil addressed Harry.

"Mr. Potter, you have now taken possession of your inheritance from both your parents and godfather. If you'd like we can have the holdings combined into a single vault for you. I'm afrad than no single Gringott's vault will be large enough to hold your liquid assets, but we can alter a few joining vaults to allow you centralized access to your assets. As for the properties in London and Godric's Hollow, the deeds for those properties will also be transferred to your centralized vault system. With your combined stock in Gringotts, you are now the controlling shareholder. You contol 43 of Gringott's, no other shareholder has more than 10. Your stock certificates will also be combined and moved to your centralized vault system. Not counting property or stock, your estimated liquid assets are now 10 million galleons, as well as approximately 3 million British pounds. Here is your new vault keys, and am I correct to assume that you'd like the contents of your existing vault to be added to your new vault system?"

Harry could not speak he was completely dumbfounded. He could only nod his assent and stare dumbly at Professor Dumbledore as Rowan O'Neil and Georgoff the goblin silently left the room.