CHAPTER 7: The Echo

As Harry and the others walked through Diagon Alley, Harry realized for the first time what life with Voldemort would really be like. Instead of the usual chatter in the busy streets, Harry saw people glancing all around them as they walked, in some cases with their hoods up. Harry saw what Hagrid had meant when he told him that you wouldn't dare talk to a stranger; because whenever two people passed they eyed each other as though one would attack.

As Harry walked through the street people seemed to slow down, their eyes seemed to brighten up as they caught sight of him. Harry heard whispers of "Harry Potter" and "The Boy Who Lived". He realized that as much as he hated people staring at him, his image had become one of hope. Harry could only chuckle when he remembered that all these people thought he was insane just a few months ago.

"First stop, Gringotts." Said Lupin, snapping Harry back into reality.

They walked in utter silence through the doors to the famous wizarding bank. Harry looked around and saw a goblin looking right at him over his high desk. Harry was slightly unnerved by this, but swallowed hard and just walked over to the banker.

"Mr. Potter, we have been expecting you." The goblin, to Harry's surprise, smiled. Harry didn't even know goblins could smile.

"Er- Yeah, well I'm here to make a withdrawal. Here is my key."

"That will have to wait, Mr. Potter. I have very special instructions for you and your friends to join me in the back room." The goblin jumped down from his seat and beckoned Lupin, Tonks, Moody, and Harry's friends to follow him.

The goblin led them through a narrow hallway, that Harry felt sure was wide enough to accommodate just one person. They walked in a single file line, following the twisting corridor until the goblin stopped. He muttered something so quiet that nobody heard him, and a thick, wooden door appeared in the wall to their right.

"Hurry up, time is wasting." The tiny banker told them, but Harry had the feeling that this creature didn't care if his business took a lifetime, he would do his job without question.

Harry walked into the room and sat down in one of the comfortable looking chintz armchairs that were lined up. Harry realized that these seats were not unlike the one that Dumbledore had conjured the previous year for his hearing. Harry looked around to see that the others had followed suit.

"The reading of the will of Sirius Black will now begin." The Goblin turned off the lights and exited the room. Harry sat there, unable to respond before a figure appeared before them.

"Heya guys." Sirius Black said. "I should warn you, I'm only here until I finish my business. I am not a ghost, I'm-"

"An echo." Harry finished quietly. Remembering the forms that came out of Voldemort's wand two years ago.

"300 points to Gryffindor, Harry. Well it was worth a shot… I have a few things to allocate to each of you. Then we must say our goodbyes. And no, I'm not allowed to tell you the secrets of death. The boss man told me if I did I'd be severely punished." Sirius said in a mocking voice, a smile spreading over his face. "This might be one detention that I really don't care to get." The group smiled, but couldn't bring themselves to laugh. Harry saw that Remus was staring at his old best friend, clearly wishing that the marauders were still together. "On to business! Man I like being in control. Anyway, it turns out that Crouch's haste in sending me to Azkaban rather helped me, or seeing that I'm dead it helps you. When he refused to give me a trial, he not only rejected any chance for me to clear myself, but he stopped any chance that the ministry had to take control of my assets. It's a complicated magical law, I don't even understand it fully. But, this means that I can give you everything and anything I want. First off, Remus. You are the last of the marauders, Pettigrew lost that title 17 years ago, I leave to you my estate, a substantial amount of the wealth I had made, and a few other of our old goodies I held onto. You will find that everything has already been transferred to your vault. Take care of Grimmauld place, and give Kreacher a kick for me." Remus nodded, tears streaming down his face, but he was smiling.

"Second, to Harry. I am leaving you a very large amount of my gold. I'm not telling you how much because I don't want you and Remus bickering over it." Harry's Godfather said with a laugh. "You already know that I left you my flying motorcycle, Dumbledore should've given it to you for your birthday." After Harry nodded that he had received it, Sirius continued. "I also have a few things that will come in handy for your upcoming…adventures. You will find them in your vault. Now, Ron, I would've liked to see your parents, but you will have to give them my best, and make sure Molly doesn't feel too bad about telling me off all the time." Ron let out a laugh, obviously remembering all the rows his mom used to have with the ex-convict. "Some of my gold has been transferred to your vault, as well as yours Hermione, and yours Tonks. Tonks, I also left you a few…Black family mementos." He said with a huge grin. Harry could only imagine what he meant. "Moody, I wasn't sure what I should give you, but I remembered you complaining about how your eye stuck after that Crouch kid wore it, so in your vault you will find a new one, the color changes on it if you want to have some fun with it. I also got you something that you'll be able to…step right into." Sirius paused for a minute, taking in each of their faces. He paused at Harry's the longest and finally said, "Don't worry about me, I'm having the time of my life, well, I guess I can't say that anymore, huh? Anyway, I'm glad to see that you've found some peace, Harry. I was afraid you would blame yourself. Bottom line is I would've walked out of that house sooner or later, the fight at the ministry just allowed me to go out with a fight. Thank you and I love you all." Sirius disappeared. Remus was openly crying now, while the rest of them just sat there with a dazed expression on their faces. Harry went over and put a hand on Lupin's shoulder, which seemed to snap him out of it.

"Let's go check out our goodies, eh, Harry?" Lupin said, forcing a smile. He clapped his hand on Harry's shoulder and led him out of the room.

Harry walked into his vault to find a tremendous amount of wizarding money scattered all over the place. He wondered briefly whether he was richer than Malfoy, but realized that it didn't matter. He was better than Malfoy. He found a note with a few packages on the ground in front of the pile of gold.

Harry

I want you to take good care of this stuff. I know you broke your knife last year,

So I got you another one. It also has a regular knife attachment that may come in handy.

I left you the other mirror, because I wasn't sure who you would want to give it to.

I also left you the instructions on how to drive that motorcycle, although if

I know you; you can figure it out for yourself. Some of the other stuff in

There isn't meant for you to know about just yet, so forget you ever saw them.

But when you take a look, I dare say you'll be pleasantly surprised.

-Sirius

"You just had to make me curious." Harry thought aloud, but decided he better not open the other packages just yet.

When Harry got back to the main floor of Gringotts he saw that everyone was already waiting for him. They left quietly and walked out into the bright street.

Harry and the group spent the rest of the day walking around Diagon Alley, buying things that they would need for school, and some things that they thought would be kind of nice to have. Ron had never had any kind of extra spending money, so they thought a few treats wouldn't hurt. Soon they had finished their shopping, and returned to Grimmauld place by floo powder, which Tonks assured them was safe now that the Ministry was on their side again.

When Harry returned to Grimmauld Place there was a large group of witches and wizards standing in the hallway.

"Ah, Harry. I'm glad you and the others have returned. The Order is about to call a meeting." Said Dumbledore, stepping out of the crowd.

"Great, professor. Why do you need me? I'm not allowed in the Order." Harry said sarcastically. He realized that he shouldn't have taken that tone with Dumbledore, so he muttered a quick apology.

"I think I deserved that; however you will find that I am beginning to learn from my mistakes. You will be allowed to come to the meetings of the Order of the Phoenix, and while you are at school you will be kept up on everything." Harry wasn't sure how to react. The first thing he did, however, was to look back at his friends. "I'm afraid Ron, Hermione, and Ginny will not be allowed to be present at the meetings. I cannot, however, stop you from telling them what you wish. I would like to remind you all that you are not part of the Order, you are merely allowed to see." Dumbledore ushered Harry into the meeting. Harry looked over his shoulder and gave his friends a reassuring look before the doors closed behind him.