Author's Notes: To the reviewer known as "actually", if you read page 710, it says that Sirius ducks Bellatrix's red jet of light and makes a comment to her just before "…the second jet of light hit him squarely on the chest." She doesn't give this second one a color, and a lot of people likely dash this one up to a second red jet of light. But because she's allowing us to take liberties, and because there's really no evidence to prove that it was a Stunner, I'm calling it a Killing Curse. In fact, just reading the description of how Sirius reacts to being hit reinforces this theory, as he isn't knocked unconscious as described in other passages and books, but rather he seems to comprehend it as he falls.

Remember, this is my story, and because she didn't specify, I'm gonna call her on the Killing Curse.

Anyway, Fluff alert, as usual. Angst alert, again. Mrs. Black alert… hee hee. And I realized a while back that I need to add in a point in which Harry and co. receive their OWL's. Maybe next chapter. Unfortunately, my creative juices seem to have dried up a bit. I'll see what I can add to the next chapter I've got in the works (#7 only, I'm afraid).

Enjoy!

Chapter Five
The Will Of Sirius Black

They were greeted right off by Remus Lupin and Kingsley Shacklebolt, both of whom looked very relieved, and somewhat distressed.

"Good lord, we've been ill with worry," Remus whispered to the two young arrivals. "What took you so long?"

"Long trip," Tonks muttered.

Kingsley beckoned for them to follow him down the hall. "Come on, we can talk in the kitchen."

The four of them, and Sirius the Crup, who remained in Harry's arms, walked as quietly as they could as not to disturb the portrait of Mrs. Black, Sirius' mad old mum, who cursed up a storm at anything non-Pureblooded.

As soon as they reached the kitchen, Remus boiled a cup of tea, which he poured for all four of them. Then he sat down across from Harry and asked, "What happened."

He looked to Tonks for support (she could only offer a weak smile) before launching into a slightly modified version of events. He left out the fact that they'd knicked the bikes, and their eventual return to Little Whinging. He also failed to mention Tonks' confrontation with the Muggle guard, as he knew that Remus and Kingsley were likely upset enough at her as it was.

Most importantly, he omit the fact that he'd been ready to use an Unforgivable Curse upon his aunt before Tonks had stopped him.

When he finished, Harry stared across the table at Lupin, who nodded. Kingsley stared at Harry and Tonks in turn, appraisingly. Tonks just stared at the table.

"You two did well, all things considered."

"What?" Harry and Tonks said together.

Lupin gave a feeble smile, as if trying not to be impressed. "You're both here, alive, and all you have to show for your trip are a few Muggles who noticed two runaway bikes speeding through downtown London and a sore hand," he winked at Tonks, who stared back, baffled

"You knew?" Harry asked.

"Of course," Kingsley rumbled. "Mundungus Fletcher trailed you from the Leaky Cauldron down to the Underground."

"Why didn't we see him then?" Harry asked.

"Dung can blend in well," Lupin said. "That, and he had an urgent business call that pulled him away from the train."

"More cauldrons?" Tonks muttered.

"Second hand bats," Kingsley smiled.

"Not something to laugh about," Lupin growled, and Kingsley sobered.

"While I'm impressed," Lupin went on, "I'm also a bit disappointed in both of you. Yes, you kept from arousing suspicion, but you also had us worried until Dung reported in, just an hour before you got here."

"How'd you find out I'd left?" Harry asked.

Kinglsey said, "Arabella Figg sent an emergency owl to us when she came back to find you gone. From what she reckons, she missed you two by an hour, at least."

"She was here, then?" Tonks asked.

"Yes," Lupin said. "She was reporting in, and needed to speak to Dumbledore in person. She left one of her Kneazles on Harry's trail."

He glanced at the wall clock and blinked. "Well, it's late, and you two have had a long couple of days. I want you in bed, Harry. You too Tonks."

Surprisingly, neither one argued.

"I expect Arthur and company should be arriving tomorrow when I send them word that you're here."

"Will Dumbledore be coming?" Harry asked suddenly. But when Lupin shook his head, the flicker of hope that had appeared in his mind vanished.

He and Tonks excused themselves and started upstairs. Harry settled in the same room he and Ron had shared the previous summer, while Tonks took a room on the next floor.

"Night Harry," she said with a yawn. "Hope you sleep well."

She gave him a brief hug, then trudged up the stairs, stumbling on every third or fourth step.

Hedwig was perched upon the wardrobe, already asleep as Harry undressed. He felt security here, now that he was between walls protected by innumerable charms and wards, and Dumbledore's secret-keeping. That in his mind, and nothing else, Harry drifted off.

He dreamt of the train ride, with Tonks at his side, sleeping against his shoulder. He had an arm wrapped around her shoulder, and her arms were locked around his midriff. He was stroking her hair, which was white and natural, a wistful smile on his lips.

Funny how the dream never changed. The train didn't stop, Harry didn't move, and Tonks never awoke. It didn't seem to last very long, though, and the next morning Harry could barely remember dreaming at all.

"Maybe you should make her blow a fuse like your uncle Harry," Tonks smirked. "Should shut her up."

"I'd rather not try and match screams with that horrid beast, thank you very much," Harry grumbled as he worked a finger in his ear. "I think she's cracked an eardrum that time."

"Sorry," Tonks said meekly as she walked, slouched, with her hands in her pockets.

Notorious for being the Order's clumsiest member, Tonks surprised nobody that morning when she came down the stairs for breakfast and collided heavilly with Kreacher, the ancient and foul house-elf that stalked the manor in a senile, angry daze.

The unfortunate thing was that Kreacher had been in the process of smuggling a pair of smoke crystal chalices under his loincloth as Tonks rounded the corner and crashed into him. This caused the chalices to shattered loudly against the ground, and Tonks to shriek madly as she flipped, head over heels, onto her back.

The commotion was nothing to Mrs. Black's thundering moments later.

"FILTHY BLOOD TRAITORS! WRETCHED SCUM OF PERVERTED ACTS! BLISTERING SORES ON THE RUMP OF THE EARTH! ––"

Luckily, Kingsley Shacklebolt and the just arrived Arthur Weasley were able to subdue the drooling, deranged portrait as Harry and Lupin pulled Tonks to her feet and out of the way.

"What about Kreacher?" she'd asked, dazed.

"Leave him," Lupin said grimly.

Kreacher, far from helpless, had taken to bawling beneath the now curtained portrait of his old mistress. His vulgar mutters did nothing to lighten the spirits of Mr. Weasley and Kingsley, who despised the house-elf as much as the next person.

Disengaging his finger from his ear, Harry pushed open the door to the kitchen, and despite knowing that Mr. Weasley was here, Harry was taken aback by the turnout of visitors that awaited him. Ron, Ginny, Fred, George, Charlie, Molly and Arthur Weasley had all arrived just before Harry had awoken (Ron, Ginny and the twins were still yawning, but looked excited enough to see Harry again). They all crowded around Harry, asking him questions, showing him a Weasley Wizarding Wheezes flyer, fussing over his hair, showing him a fresh dragon burn… for a moment, Harry felt as if he were at the Burrow again, as it had been before the return of Voldemort. But soon, Arthur had restored a semblance of order and the entire clan settled into a scrumptious breakfast.

Ron grinned at Harry, who tried his best to return the look. He found it hard, seeing as how Ron hadn't showed much interest in speaking to him all summer.

"Heard about your road trip," he sniggered. "Fred, George and I think it's brilliant."

"I suppose," Harry said with fake cheer. Ron was oblivious to this and peppered Harry with questions throughout the meal, which he answered dutifully, the cheer in his voice running dry.

He wasn't surprised by the dark looks Molly dropped on him and Tonks respectively throughout, but it brought a rise in Harry that he tried to quash immediately. She meant well, but Harry hated how she fussed over him more than she did the twins. That was what she and Lupin did too much: worry about him. Especially after Sirius' murder.

After breakfast, Harry excused himself from the table, under the pretense of having a shower. He knew that his sour mood was showing now, but he didn't care. He wanted some privacy, after spending the last two days under the watch of Tonks… not that he mind it that much.

He only had an hour to himself before Ron latched himself to Harry's side. The gangly red head avoided mention of his lack of communication, and instead detailed to Harry his new Quidditch play, which he'd devised with the help of Charlie.

"I just hope I get a chance to show the new team captain, so we can flatten the Slytherins with it. Especially Malfoy." Ron's eyes went dream as the image of Draco spiraling toward grass of the Quidditch pitch filled his head.

"What's Charlie doing here," Harry asked. "I thought he was stuck in Romania."

"He's taken a short leave of absence," Ron said. "Bill's back in Egypt, and so he figured that at least one level-headed son might be good for mum and dad."

"Percy's still not speaking to them?"

"He didn't even send Ginny a birthday card," Ron muttered.

Harry said nothing, but shifted the heavy pillowcase he was carrying over to his left shoulder. It stank of meat, and was damp with blood.

"Sirius must have really loved Buckbeak," Ron said, a good foot away from Harry.

There were on the top floor of the manor, just outside the door of what was once Mrs, Black's bedroom. It now served home to Buckbeak, the renegade Hippogriff that had aided in Sirius' escape from the Dementors back in Harry's third year. Unfortunately, the enormous creature had grown restless over the last four months (since his last time being allowed out into the outside world) and it seemed that only Harry could control the ill-tempered Hippogriff.

Harry and Ron bowed low to Buckbeak in the typical fashion that Hagrid had taught them so long ago. After a moment, Buckbeak followed suit, lowering himself on his front legs before Harry strode forward and stroked his unusual pet's feathered head.

"Sirius really left him to you?" Ron asked.

Harry nodded as he stroked the Hippogriff's break. "Lupin told me this morning. He says that there's a lot more too, but wants to wait until tonight before he reads me the will."

Ron sat down on the only chair in the room and asked, "Do you want me and Hermione to be there with you? I mean, it's a family thing, right, so we'd understand…"

Harry had known that his friends would want to be by his side when Lupin (as executor of Sirius' estate) read the will to him and Tonks. But even before Ron had asked, Harry knew that he didn't want either of his friends to be there.

He found this hard to say, because while he was still upset with both of them, Ron and Hermione remained Harry's closest friends. They'd been with him since the beginning, and he had hoped that they would always be at his side when he needed them.

"No, I don't think so," he finally said as he fished out two dead rats from the pillowcase and handed fed them to Buckbeak. He didn't need to see Ron's face to know that disappointment shone from it.

He continued to feed Buckbeak in silence until Ron asked, "Why is it just you, Tonks and my mum and dad that are hearing it? Sirius must have left loads of stuff to other people."

"Tonks and your parents are his only blood relative, aside from the Malfoys and the Lestranges," Harry said, his mood blackening even more. "He's probably left a few things to Lupin, and Dumbledore, but Dumbledore's not available. And I can't think of anyone else who he'd leave something to."

It was true. Sirius hadn't many people to count on in his last years, except for the Order and those connected to it. His cousins were almost all in hatred of him, aside from Tonks' mother Andromeda (Tonks would be representing her and her father Ted). The Weasleys parents, connected distantly from the Blacks, would be there without their children because they felt it more appropriate, as Arthur had told him.

"I'm sure Sirius left your parents quite a bit," Harry said reassuringly. "He and your mum argued a fair bit, but they were pretty keen on each other under it all."

Ron said nothing, though his ears burned. Despite appearing to be indifferent to his family's financial plights, Harry knew that Ron hated it sorely. Harry did too; he thought that if anyone deserved the fortune locked up in the Potter's Gringotts vault, it was the Weasleys, who were more hardworking and kind than many of the well-off families Harry had met since his start at Hogwarts. They were also an incredibly stubborn bunch who refused charity with a polite smile.

Harry hoped desperately that Sirius would leave Arthur and Molly something spectacular, and was about to tell Ron this when he noticed that his friend had quietly slipped out of the room.

Dinner that night was subdued. This didn't mean that the twins were completely behaved, however. Even Harry had a laugh when Charlie's mashed potatoes belched loudly at him, and he could've sworn that he saw Mrs. Weasley covered her mouth as a tiny smile broke out.

Soon after the leftover trifle had been cleared away from the table, Mrs. Weasley shooed away her children, who were surprisingly obedient in departing. Soon, Harry, Tonks, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Lupin and Mad-Eye Moody were left alone in the kitchen. Harry noticed the grim mood that descended even more heavily now, and almost dreaded the reading.

Tonks scooted her chair closer to his, offering a gently smile which he didn't even bother trying to return. He wished now that he didn't have to be here.

"All right," Lupin said a moment later. "I guess we should get on with it, none of us are getting any younger." From his robed he pulled out a single sheaf of parchment that looked quite fresh to Harry. He forced himself to keep his attention on Lupin.

"Dumbledore drilled it into us," he started, "that our being in the Order was an incredibly risky venture. And because of this, Sirius and I, among others, decided to draft our Last Will and Testaments in the event that we lost our lives."

Lupin's normally pale complexion seemed even more transparent, and for the first time since he had known him, Harry saw tears in the older man's eyes. His hand was trembling slightly and there was an unmistakable quiver in his voice.

"I never though that I'd have to read his," he said very softly. On Harry's right, Mrs. Weasley sniffed.

After recomposing himself, Lupin cleared his throat and began reading the document.

" 'I, Sirius Phineas Black, a resident and citizen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, and being of sound mind and sound body, do hereby affirm this to be my last will and testament, in the event of my death.

"'Item One—'" Lupin stopped and with a sad smile, said, "this is all the legal rubbish I have to deal with. I'll skip to the important parts." He cleared his throat again and continued.

"'I have very little in the way of assets, and do not hold much value with the majority of them. However, there are items that I wish to distribute among my survivors, and are as follows:

"'To Arthur and Molly Weasley, and their children, I bequeath from my personal vault at Gringotts, number 711, the sum of fifty thousand Galleons, to be used in whatever way they see fit, on the condition that it bring happiness to them and those around them.'"

"Fifty thou—" Mrs. Weasley sputtered as Mr. Weasley straightened himself to keep from falling from his seat. "Fifty thousand Galleons? I never knew that he had such a fortune!"

Neither had Harry. He smiled to the Weasleys, who appeared to be in a state of shock. Fifty thousand Galleons was more than what Mr. Weasley made in a year.

"There's more too," Lupin said. "'I bequeath to Arthur Weasley, and he alone, my personal enchanted motorcycle…' I don't believe this." Lupin smiled and read, "'I daresay, it will match his bomber jacket quite well.'"

"Well I'll be," Mr. Weasley muttered. "His motorcycle."

"Moving on," Lupin said, "'To Andromeda and Theodore Tonks, and their daughter Nymphadora, I bequeath, from my personal vault at Gringotts, number 711, the sum of twenty thousand Galleons, to be used in whatever way they see fit. And to Nymphadora Tonks, and she alone, I bequeath my entire collection of Emphur Quillton mystery novels; old drum kit; and my entire collection of Aurors! comic books.'"

"Sirius you noble dog," Harry heard Tonks whisper. He gave her an inquisitive look, to which she replied, "Tell you later."

"'To my dearest friend, Remus J Lupin…'" Lupin's voice cracked, but he recovered and read on. "'…I bequeath, from my personal vault at Gringotts, number 711, the sum of thirty thousand Galleons to be used in whatever way he sees fit, on the condition that he buys at least one set of robes to replace those tattered old things. In addition, I bequeath to him all my personal effects, with those named within this document as exceptions.

"'To Albus P. W. B. Dumbledore, I bequeath my manor at 12 Grimmauld Place, to be used as the headquarters for the Order Of The Phoenix over the years that it exists. In addition, I bequeath to him the remaining funds within my personal vault at Gringotts, number 711, to be used in whatever way he sees fit, on the condition that a generous portion is used as funding for the Order Of The Phoenix, and Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry.'

" 'And lastly…'" Lupin read, turning his eyes to Harry, who remained still in his seat with the vague knowledge that everyone else in the room was now looking at him. "'…to my godson, Harry James Potter, I bequeath the following:

"'The task of caring for the Hippogriff, Buckbeak. I entrust you with Buckbeak's life, as I entrust yours to him.

"'My entire collection of Dark Arts Defence texts.

"'My bottle of Chablis, vintage 1947. The very same vintage served at your parents' wedding.

"'My wand (12 inch alder containing a dragon heartstring) to be kept in memory of my abilities.

"'My collection of practical joke paraphernalia dating back to my years at Hogwarts in memory of the name Padfoot.

"'And lastly, from my personal vault at Gringotts, number 711, a sealed letter to be delivered to upon the reading of my will. This letter has much private information, and should be seen by the eyes of Harry Potter only, with any exception in his own discretion.

" 'Lastly,'" Lupin read on, his voice losing strength as he did so, "'I leave to everyone the knowledge that I loved each and every one of you with all my being. You have all showed me the same respect and love that I now offer to each and everyone of you eternally, and for that I am grateful.'"

Lupin, wet in the face, folded the parchment and slipped it in his robe again. He said nothing as he sat down. Nobody said anything, for a long time.

Lupin gave Harry the letter Sirius had left for him after the kitchen cleared out. He gave Harry a hug and said, "Take as much time as you need to read it." Then he trudged off with Moody to start taking care of the important legal bits.

But Harry found himself simply staring down at the enveloped marked with his name in Sirius' writing. He couldn't bring himself to break the Black family seal, simply couldn't. Instead, he took the letter upstairs to his room and put it in his trunk, where he hoped he might forget about it.

Lying in his bed, Harry replayed the reading over and over in his head. He wasn't sure how he'd be able to keep Sirius' wand, with the knowledge that it had failed his godfather in the end. And the wine… well, Harry felt more comfortable with that treasure than he did the wand.

All in all, he was more than satisfied with his inheritance (although he would've been satisfied had Sirius merely left him his favorite handkerchief and Kreacher). He was also quite happy for the Weasleys, Tonks's and for Lupin. Harry wondered just what Dumbledore would do with the money Sirius had left for him and Hogwarts, but he chose not to dwell on it, as his mind slipped back to the letter, now residing in his trunk.

On the other side of the manor, far from the sensitive "ears" of Mrs. Black, Harry found Tonks making more of a racket than anything the drooling old portait could ever attempt.

It seemed that Tonks had found Sirius' old drum kit here long ago, and was now taking advantage of the fact that it was now hers. Harry had been quite surprised when he opened the door, mainly because the Silencing Charm along the jamb disengaged with the action, and the near silence of the hallway was shattered by the mad pounding of wood on drum.

He thought that she sounded rather good, in spite of (or perhaps because of ) the frenzy she seemed to be in as played. It was a sight to see and to hear, and Harry was soon grinning.

Tonks soon stopped to breath and noticed Harry in the jamb. She beckoned for him to come in and joined him by the window.

"I didn't know you played," he said, still amused.

"Since I was a tot," she panted. "My dad never got me a kit because it was so effin' annoying to him and mum. When I got to Hogwarts, I had to wait four years before I could transfigure old pots and pans into a kit."

"You ever play in a band?"

"Play in a band?" Tonks huffed. "You're looking at the ex-drummer of Muggle."

Harry smirked and asked, "You named your band Muggle?"

"It was that or The Bloke Next Door."

Harry raised an eyebrow "Bloke next door?"

Tonks smirked this time. "The bloke next door was a Muggle. Imagine his surprise, hearing noise that was unheard of by Muggles. No longer the bloke next door."

They both laughed.

"But I prefer tunes with more… kick."

"Like what?" Harry asked.

"Like Big Mouth Witch, Polishing Wands, The Snitches. Stuff you can kick your feet to."

And she did just that, smashing her bare foot against the leg of their table.

"Ah! Bloody hell! Smeggin' table! Ow ow ow!"

"That's was smooth," Harry drawled as Tonks nursed her bruised toes. She shot him a withering glare, which served only to increase his building laughter.

"Shove off," she groaned as she flopped back in her chair. "I hate being such a clutz."

"I suppose it makes for good drumming though?"

"Surprisingly, yeah."

They spent the rest of the day together, carefully avoiding the subject of Sirius' will. Tonks regaled him with stories of her own years at Hogwarts (he could scarcely compare the twins' antics to hers, and wondered again and again how she'd managed to avoid Filch more than half the time, in spite of her lack of dexterity). He told her about his first two years which included the battle to keep the Philosopher's Stone from Voldemort, and Harry's private war with the memory of Tom Riddle, the school and himself.

He was tempted to skip dinner that night, to keep talking to Tonks, but relented when his stomach rumbled loud enough that Tonks raised an eyebrow in surprise.

He barely spoke to Ron at dinner, which seemed to put the red head off slightly. After dinner, Harry and Tonks went upstairs to feed Buckbeak, covering more topics as they took turns tossing the Hippogriff dead rats. Soon, the evening had turned into night, and night was slowly creeping into morning.

AnnF - Arabella isn't home, is she? Why would Tonks want to get inside then? Breaking and entering into her home probably wouldn't be the best thing to do. Besides, when all else fails, I can use the plothole that there are wards around her house as well. :P

deadfeather - Arabella is supposed to be the watchdog on Privet Drive, and Tonks is supposed to be a sort of sentry that day.

Not a word on Ron and Hermione. :P

SiriusLeeBlack09 - So did I.

Dark-Syaoran - Oh believe me, she's going to be a firecracker at Hogwarts.

Dumbledore seems to know more about a situation than anyone else, even if he isn't involved. He's got to know that Harry's trusted Tonks with a lot of information, and his reaction should likely be fair. Hermione and Ron will have their own reactions, of course.

I shall not give away a thing. However, feel free to e-mail me to lay down your theory and I'll let you know if it's accurate.

danielc - Tonks knows Harry, pretty well by now, and knows that he doesn't truly have the power nor the mentality to cast the Cruciatus Curse. And as for Hermione, we'll have to see, if he decides to tell her.

Hm. I've never read about her hair cycling. Not my thing really, but I may do something similar.