Chapter 2—Ablendan Craven

Ablendan Craven was a solicitor who specialized in handling wizarding property transactions. Oftentimes, wizarding houses had little surprises that would give most muggles heart-attacks. Craven kept the homes of wizards out of the hands of muggles until it was certain that any magical secrets were cleared out. Craven looked like Argus Filch if Filch had discovered the benefits of a comb and dressed in an exceedingly expensive but still tacky suit. Like Filch, Craven was a squib. He studied law in a muggle school and specialized in providing discrete services for wizards who did not want the Ministry of Magic's Misuse of Muggle Artifacts department involved in their business. Craven was not a bad person, despite his personal taste. He was mostly cowardly and not terribly smart, which is a very bad combination.

Narcissa was already there when Harry, Remus, Tonks, Andromeda, and Dumbledore arrived. She sat regally in a chair next to Craven's desk. There were five chairs arranged in a semi-circle in front of Craven's desk. Dumbledore sat with Remus and Harry at each side, and Andromeda and Tonks sat to the right of Remus.

"Welcome to my office," said Craven. "We're here on the 15th of July 1996 to determine the legal ownership of 12 Grimmauld Place. The house is highly secure from Muggles, and even the Ministry of Magic is currently unaware of its location. Both parties have come to me because they wanted this handled with discretion."

A black quill scratched the notes of the meeting on a piece of parchment at Craven's desk.

"Sirius Black had no children. His closest living blood relations are Bellatrix Lestrange, Andromeda Tonks, and Narcissa Malfoy. However, since Bellatrix is currently," Craven coughed, "a fugitive and Andromeda has been disowned by Sirius's mother, Hestia Black, Narcissa is his closest blood relative that could actually inherit his fortune and his house."

Andromeda spoke up. "Well that's really debatable. Sirius never got along with Bellatrix or Narcissa. In fact, he hated them. Anyone that knew Sirius knows this. They are the last people that he would want his legacy to go to."

Andromeda glared at Narcissa when she finished speaking.

"Well, my dear cousin didn't see fit to bother to write a will stating those wishes. He couldn't have cared that much."

Narcissa smiled smugly as the colour rose in Andromeda's cheeks.

"You didn't even know—" Andromeda rose in her seat, the many bangles on each arm clanking angrily. Dumbledore glanced at Andromeda and she sat down, huffing.

"What I think Andromeda means," Dumbledore said, "Is that the people with me are the people that Sirius cared about. Remus was Sirius's best friend, Andromeda and Tonks were his favourite cousins, and Harry was his godson." Craven's eyebrows raised in surprise at this news. "From the time Harry and Sirius met, Sirius has cared for and advised Harry as a father would a son. I have watched and facilitated their relationship. I am certain that Sirius would want Harry cared for in the event of his death."

Harry stared at his scuffed and dirty trainers as if they were very interesting and blinked furiously. He wished he knew how to apparate out of there. If it weren't for the fact that he knew that the Order needed him he would have been tempted to bolt out the door.

"This is interesting news," Craven said slowly. "Harry Potter, the godson of the wizarding world's greatest murderer."

"Voldemort is the wizarding world's greatest murderer!" Harry suddenly shouted. "And they support him!" Harry pointed at Narcissa. "Sirius hated Voldemort, he would rather die than have anything he owned in the hands of the Malfoys."

Harry knew he was making a scene but he didn't care.

"Harry, you forget, he already has died," Narcissa said with an odd look on her face.

Harry jumped out of his chair and drew his wand. The blood was pounding in his ears. Suddenly, he felt himself being pulled down by his collar. Remus had a firm arm in front of him.

"I understand how you're feeling," he said, "but that won't help us now."

Harry's breathing slowed and he nodded, glaring up at Narcissa insolently.

"Do you have any proof of this relationship?"

"As a matter of fact," Dumbledore reached into his pocket and pulled out a tattered piece of parchment that looked vaguely familiar.

Craven took the parchment and read it, his brows furrowing.

"It says, I, Sirius Black, Harry Potter's godfather, hereby give him permission to visit Hogsmeade on weekends," Craven read aloud. "It's dated '13 June 1994.'"

"I was in third year then," Harry spoke up. "The Dursleys wouldn't sign my permission slip to go to Hogsmeade. On the train back I got a letter from Sirius giving me permission to go for my fourth year."

Craven sat thoughtfully. "This changes things. A godson could be Sirius Black's heir. The problem with Andromeda or Tonks inheriting Sirius's estate is that they were blasted off of Hestia Black's family tree by Hestia. They were no longer regarded as members of the Black family…" Craven trailed off thoughtfully.

A sharp knock at the door startled everyone. A gaunt man with dark hair entered and whispered something in Craven's ear. Craven's face darkened as if what he heard was very unpleasant.

"Yes, I know--" Craven started to say.

The man stared at Craven.

"Fine, fine, forget it, you may go," said Craven. Craven gave a stiff smile when he left. "Lunch order," he said as if that explained everything.

Harry and Tonks looked expectantly at Craven, while Remus was whispering something to Andromeda.

"Well, as persuasive as your argument has been, I'm afraid I have to rule based on the law. Narcissa Black Malfoy is the only blood relative of Sirius Black that has not been disinherited and is in a position to receive his estate. As a result, I must agree that Number Twelve Grimmauld Place and all the included property within, and all of Sirius Black's bank holdings are to be turned over to Narcissa Black Malfoy. This order has been reached at 11:45 am on 2 July 1996."

Andromeda and Tonks both burst up and started arguing with Craven and gesticulating wildly.

"I know, I know," he said running a hand over his hair, "But I must follow law, not emotion."

"How much did she give you?" Andromeda shouted.

"I don't have to bribe anyone," Narcissa said. "My name is good enough to get things done."

Narcissa held up the contract which she had just signed. "This is legally and magically binding. I want the lot of you out of my house, with any rubbish that you brought in with you, within three days."

Dumbledore, Harry, Remus, Tonks, and Andromeda filed dispiritedly out of Ablendan Craven's office.

"What do we do now?" Harry whispered.

Dumbledore looked very tired but not defeated.

"Clean. We have to clean very fast," he said.