BLOOD OF THE MOTHER by BertaS Oct. 2005

Chapter 22

Description: Sirius' will is read.

Disclaimer: They are, sadly, not mine. They all belong to JKR

Sirius Gets Serious

When Harry and Severus arrived at the bank they where immediately shown to a large conference room where they sat unnoticed in the back. The room was half full; mostly order members as well as a few people that Harry did not know, most of these were women.

One woman Harry did recognize was Narcissa Malfoy he watched her approach one of the others that looked familiar but he knew that he had never met. Sev must have noticed him watching and leaned closer, "Andromeda and Narcissa, in the same room, this could get interesting in a rather nasty way." He smirked, "It is a good thing Bella, is unavailable." Sev and every one else who had noticed the pair was shocked to see they were not only being civil but actually seemed friendly.

When the large double doors were closed, a small door at the back of the room opened and Grignack walked in followed by two younger goblins and two wizards in bank uniforms. Each wizard carried something one had a tray of four glass bottles the other had a strange plate like object with runes engraved all around the edge. Each of the young goblins had a stack of envelopes. The most interesting thing to Harry was that Dumbledore was conspicuous by his absence.

Grignack drew everyone's attention by clapping his hands loudly; "On behalf of Mr. Black I would like to thank you for attending. The first section of this, the Reading of the Last Will and Testament of Sirius Orion Black is for his Ladies. He then began calling out names, as each Lady received her envelope she was motioned to a place near the low pedestal at the front of the room. When he stopped there were fourteen women gathered around with envelopes. Several were holding on to each other seemingly fighting back tears."

The plate like pensive was placed on the pedestal and one of the bottles was carefully emptied into it. As the wizard stepped back, the image of Sirius rose and appeared to stand on the pedestal.

He just stood for a moment smiling, and then he began to speak, "My lovelies, I know, if I where not already dead, I would be in big trouble to have you all in the same room. Each of you should have received an envelope; I have written letters to inform you of what your gift is and where to find it or directions for the goblins to release it. I would request that you all go out and do something spontaneous for me some time this week. I have also asked that Tom at the Leaky Caldron set up the party room for all who wish to attend my fare well party. Is every thing ready Tom?"

The old walnut of a man to one side of the room said, "Aye, Siri, 'tis ready." as he bobbed his head up and down in a nodding bow.

The image of Sirius continued as though he had heard the answer, "Thanks Tom. I knew I could count on you. Now my loves no more tears, I will miss you all, good by my loves." He started blowing kisses and Grignack ushered the women out of the room as the image dissolved, fading into thin air, leaving nothing to put back into the empty bottle.

"The second part of this the Reading of the Last Will and Testament of Sirius Orion Black is for his brothers in arms." Said Grignack formally, this list included many of the order members, Tom the Bartender, and some men that Harry did not know but looked like Aurors. Again, each received an envelope. Another bottle was emptied onto the pensive. And again the image of Sirius appeared.

"My friends, I hope my death had meaning in the fight against Voldemort. If I was doing something stupid, well," he shook his head and grinned, "Just let me pretend any way. You my friends should have each received an envelope; these have instructions to the goblins or my heir to release the items specified, Harry, help them find these things some of them are in the special vault, I think you know which one I mean?" he paused.

Harry grinned as every one looked around, "Yes Sir, I believe I do." The only one that had seemed special to Harry was the one under the name of Nigel Grim.

There where gasps as people realized that Harry Potter was present and that he was who Sirius had meant when he said 'heir'.

There was a slight commotion before Harry stood and angrily said, "My God Father is still speaking."

And so he was "…pranks and have some fun, good bye my friends." He waved as he dissipated this time. Grignack tried to usher them out but many were converging on Harry and Severus, both of whom where scowling.

Severus beat Harry to the punch when he said softly but scathingly, "Very respectful, gentlemen, you missed most of your message from the dear departed."

One of them shouted, "Why you…" as he drew back his fist, others were shouting and pushing whether in the attempt to get to Snape or defend Harry was unclear. Harry caught the words Deatheater and traitor.

Harry moved in front of Sev blocking the punch easily and countering with a blow to the sternum. "This is not the place and it will never be the time. You are disrespecting the man we are here to honor. Do you really think this is what Siri would want? A brawl during the reading of his will?" His eyes where like green fire and the man backed down immediately gasping for breath. Harry scanned the other faces to see if he would need to actually lay one of them out. Grignack clapped for attention again, the look on the goblins face was fierce, and he was obviously not pleased. "Gentlemen the next part of the reading needs to start if you would like to have a meeting with Mr. Potter-Black the secretary in the next room will take your name and I am sure that Mr. Potter-Black will get back to you at his earliest convenience." A few of them just stalked off while others bowed or shook Harry's hand offering their condolences. Most glared at Snape who was standing defensively behind Harry and had pulled his staff from somewhere. Moody was the last to leave, he eyed Harry and said, "You shouldn't have pulled your punch. Some one attacks, take 'em out, constant vigilance."

When they where gone there where only the Weasleys, Hermione, Minerva McGonagall, Remus Lupin, Narcissa Malfoy, Andromeda, and Nymphadora Tonks left with Severus and Harry.

"Harry, are you all right? I've never seen Jenkins back down from anyone." Said Tonks when Harry turned to her the fire had not yet died in his eyes, and she made an EEEP sound and backed up tripping and landing on the twins, which they found quite enjoyable.

Harry closed he eyes and took several calming breaths. "Sorry Tonks," he cleared his throat as he opened them back up to see the twins 'helping' Tonks up and laughed, shaking his head, "that's my dream girl." They all looked at him from the tangle of limbs the twins with huge eyes as Harry offered Tonks his hand.

"We didn't know,"

"That Tonks was"

"Spoken for, Harry."

When did this happen?

Ginny said rather crossly, "Yes, Harry, When did this happen?" her hands were on her hips.

Harry grinned, "On my birthday. I blew out the candles, made a wish and there she was, stealing bites my cake, I'm sure she told you all about it."

It was Hermione's turn, "Noooo, I think she may have left out a few details, Harry." She was smiling enjoying teasing him and the fact that Tonks was turning red was a bonus.

Grignack was reluctant to interrupt this bizarre display of wizard mating rituals, but business was business. He clapped his hands and when he had their attention he said, "This the third part of the Reading of the Last Will and Testament of Sirius Orion Black is for those he considered his family through blood or love.

The third bottle was emptied and the form of Sirius Black was standing before them again. "I will miss all of you most. Every one in this room I considered to be very important to me, I consider each of you family. " Several people looked around at Snape and Narcissa, but remained quiet not wanting to miss anything. For his part Severus wanted to crawl in to a hole and disappear. "Harry, I realize you may be looking around thinking that certain people don't belong here, let me explain. You, my godson, through love are my heir. Minerva, the mother I always wanted. Remus is the brother of my heart, my best friend. The Weasleys, well they seem to have more love than any one family can contain and will continue to adopt people, I haven't figured out why they thought me worthy of this honor… but, they seem to have adopted us both in some fashion." He grinned, "The goblins will have put your gift in your vault by now Molly; now no more crying; I happen to like your smile." Molly eeeped and valiantly tried to stem her tears. "Fred, George, I have made arrangements to invest a small amount in your joke shop, see Grignack later. Ron, Ginny, Hermione, I left instructions for your tuition along with Harry's to be paid out of a special trust."

"And then there is my blood family, Nymphy my little cousin, all grown up, you always brighten the room when you enter, you get that from your mother. Annie I have missed you and wish we had been able to see more of each other." His grin became more wolfish, "Cissy, dump that lout and find some one that is actually worthy of your intelligence and beauty." He looked around as though searching for some one the uncanny thing was that he eyes seemed to find Severus, "Snape, you should be the only other person here. If Dumbledore has some how shouldered his way in you have my permission to chuck him out," his grin was positively evil as he waited silently for about a minute and a half, "I know that we agreed to never mention the familial connection so long as we live, but I'm dead so," he stuck his tongue out and blew a raspberry, grinned, then became very serious, "Cousin, Severus, I have two requests of you," he bowed his head, "Forgive me, I probably do not deserve it, but humbly ask it, I have only one excuse, it is in the letter I have written to you. Second take care of Harry for me. I know the two of you don't get on the best but please try, for me, for Harry and for yourself. Don't let the old man do to him what he did to us; I know you know what I mean." Harry saw Sev nod that, yes he knew. "Harry, Severus knows all the proper pranks for a young man to learn. I wish I could have been the one to teach you but Severus always gave a good as he got. I expect the two of you to come up with something pretty spectacular pretty soon. Mooney help them if they need it." Sirius had an almost evil smirk, "Try to get the old fart for me. I'll miss you all. There should be one more memory, Harry you will have to decide who you trust to watch that one with you."

The image bowed and again threw kisses, whispering the words good bye, and I love you as it disappeared this time.

Harry smiled and whispered, "Good bye Siri."

Grignack looked to Harry, "Shall we continue or would you like to view this alone?"

Harry thought for a moment then shook his head, "I... I don't know." He looked at Sev, who shrugged and shook his head. Harry looked to Remus next who made almost the same gesture, "I don't know, he never mentioned any of this to me."

Harry sighed looking around several people shifted under his gaze, when he reached Narcissa she spoke, "My Lord Black, perhaps those who feel they should leave, should do so now."

Arthur nodded "I think that is an excellent suggestion, Harry."

Harry nodded, "I think I would like you all to stay, but if you feel you should leave then you are free to do so."

No one moved for a moment, Grignack clapped his hands loudly one last time looking at Harry, "We are ready if you are." Harry nodded. Grignack accepted the last glass bottle and the wizards and other goblins left. "This, the fourth and last section of the Reading of the Last Will and Testament of Sirius Orion Black is for his heir, Lord Harry James Potter-Black and those he deems worthy.

Grignack carefully emptied the memory onto the plate pensive and stepped back.

Sirius rose once more to stand on the pillar "Harry, I hope my previous statements have made an impression, don't let Snape get to you," he smirked "I suspect he has stormed out by now, I probably shouldn't have blown a raspberry at him but," He shrugged and grinned slightly, "old habits die hard, listen close Son, Dumbledore is not to be trusted, he has a habit of wanting to have absolute control and he can't stand not knowing things. If he asks you to submit to a loyalty oath or spell tell him to shove it. He will use the opportunity to put compulsions on you to be obedient and most likely to be truthful to him. I have been working on these for a long time and have been able to break all but the one to stay in this god-forsaken house and to discuss them with others. I was able to make these memory bottles and sent them with instructions to Grignack without any one knowing. I don't know who else he has tampered with; try to free the others especially Remus and Snape. Learn occlumency do what ever it takes, this is your only defense against either of the old men you face. I hope you don't have to be at war with them both at the same time but if you do, use them against each other, and take them while they are weak, Mooney, Snape and Moody should be able to help with your training. I wish I could be there for the last battle, well maybe I was, I can always hope. Well Harry I think I've said enough, play some pranks with the money, try not to get caught at it. Have as much fun as you can. And always remember that I love you and am so very proud of you." The image Sirius was suddenly replaced by a large black dog that barked happily and jumped around in place on the pedestal as it slowly faded away.

A/N: Well, Wilma didn't get me, just a near miss; power was out for about 24 hours. I work for the FDOT and I'm working crazy hours (like 13 hrs a day overtime pay yipee) and have no idea when I will get to the next chapter which should be the meeting with Cissa and the meeting at the ministry. I am going to try to post twice a week. (Tuesday and Friday?)

I am not happy leaving this here but thought it would be better to send you what I have instead of making you wait.

I can't believe I have over 100 reviews. (Bouncing in chair grinning) Thanks to all who review, I will try to answer any questions you have sometime in the story. At this point if there is something you would like to see let me know and I may use it.

Again thank you for reading. BertaS