Walking through the halls of the Ministry Sirius had to slow himself rather down. The goblin was old and didn't seem to want to make haste in any form. They came across an arch, with two armed goblins at either side, identifying this part as the goblin quarters in the Ministry. Sirius had never been in here, his grandfather always made his deals with the goblins in Gringotts like all people. Ragnok's clicking staff and their boots were the only things that could be heard.
The silence was a little unnerving. Silence, cold stone wall, not quite so polished like the ones in the rest of the building. It was also a little cold. Sirius felt rather uncomfortable. He had to do something.
"Lord Ragnok, I didn't know your people had a section in the Ministry." He stated, making the old goblin turn his head and looking up to him.
"You think my people would not deserve being with you 'better people'?" He sneered. Sirius flinched a little. Goblin etiquette was rather strange for humans, but even Sirius knew, this was a touchy topic with goblins.
"No, I didn't mean THAT. I simply have never been here that's all and never even heard of it." The goblin stopped his march and turned. He squinted his eyes, looking up and down.
"We rarely use these parts. Only in rare cases like this." He turned again wobbling on. Sirius took a moment, then followed. His way longer legs made him pull up in seconds.
"What is this case anyway?" The goblin grumbled into himself, not turning his head.
"This is not a matter for the open corridor boy." Sirius turned down his eyes himself.
"Please don't call me boy, Sir. I don't want to turn to call you creature or halfbreed, so would you refrain from that Lord Ragnok. I wouldn't want to gut you with a rusty knife."
The goblin blinked and turned again. He showed his teeth.
"You wouldn't get two inches wide before I would bite out your throat. Creature? Bloody purebloods." Sirius leaned down.
"Oh, I am rather handy with a knife you know? Also, I have been kicked out of House Black for my position of blood purity and I am best friends with a werewolf...soooo you tell me."
The goblin squinted a moment and it was quiet. Then he grinned and started laughing. His surprisingly strong hand clasped twice on Sirius side before he turned.
"I think I like you, Black." Sirius huffed a little, following. Goblin Etiquette is really really weird. Not to threaten someone with murder is in bad taste! He shook his head and followed the goblin around the last corner, only stopping again. In the corridor were a few benches and on two of them sat again two people each. The first was a stiffly sitting woman, black hair with a blond strand. She wore complete black and stared up front. Next to her was a boy, maybe Harry's age, with platinum blond hair and a bored face. His clothes were really expensive. On the other bench were two women. One had brown long hair falling in a beautiful swing over her shoulders. Her clothes were normal. The girl next to her had short hair and maybe left Hogwarts a few years back. Sirius felt half a smile rising to his face when he saw the second pair.
"Andy!" He called out, making all the heads turn all staring at him. Seconds later a brown-haired woman formed rocket slammed into his chest, making him almost fall over.
"Sirius!" The beautiful women hugged him very close and he could not, not hug his most loved cousin back. For a moment he just enjoyed the warm comforting hug, the third in twelve years he knew. The other two have been with Remus, also full of love but this is different. He pressed a kiss on Andromeda's temple. He felt small tears burn in his eyes, as they let go of each other, Andy stepped back a little.
"It's so good to see you." His gaze turned up and he saw that his other cousin and the boy who had to be her son had both got to their feet and had their wands out. Really?
"Cissy, do you really think Lord Ragnok could have brought me here if I weren't free of charges?" Andy turned her head in a flurry of brown hair, angrily looking over.
"Yeah, Cissy don't be stupid." The women huffed, putting her wand away also placing a hand on the wand arm of her son.
"You might be right and don't call me that name!" She stated with a glare. Andy grinned.
"Of course not...Cissy."
Sirius stepped around his cousin closer to the stiff black-blond women.
"Hello, Narcissa." He stretched his hand out. His youngest cousin always had been one for the protocol; one more reason the didn't get along very well. She let him take her hand and place a kiss on her knuckles, making the boy next to her roll his eyes. Sirius rose upright and turned to him.
"I take it he is your son?" For the first time since he came around the corner, something of a smile formed on Cissy's face and she turned a little herself, placing her hand on his shoulder.
"Yes, that's my lovely Draco." She rubbed his shoulder slightly, making him flinch.
"Moooom." Sirius chuckled and held out his hand. The boy looked at it like it was some kind of poisonous spider, but after a nudge of his mother, he took it.
"Pleased to meet you Draco. You are at Hogwarts probably right?"
Draco nodded, squinting his eyes carefully.
"Yes..."
"What year?"
Draco stood up straighter. "Fourth year next month." He seemed proud. The fourth-year was the one when most of the school didn't think of you as the younglings anymore.
"Ahhh, good good. My godson Harry is in your year then. I take it you know him?"
The careful face of Draco turned to one of complete disgust and he sneered his next word.
"Potter!" Oh yeah, they didn't seem to get along. By the look of his face, it seemed like they didn't get along at all. Like him and Snivellus.
"Bugger off Malfoy." A fourth voice came out from behind and the girl from before stepped in front of him. He blinked for a short moment before his grin turned wide.
"Now if that isn't the small Nymphadora!" He called out ready to hug his niece, only to feel the tip of a wand in his chest. Her hair turned bright red.
"Do NOT call me Nymphadora!" she exclaimed firmly. Sirius raised his hands in defeat chuckling, while her mother yelled at her.
"Don't hold your Uncle at wand-point Dora!" The girl lowered her wand and then she grinned hugging him too.
"Uncle Siri." She smiled. She was old enough to remember her funny uncle Siri. He had been the only one in his family not to turn his back on her Mom for marrying her dad. He also was funny and a real goofball. She had liked him a lot and in the time after his arrest, she had often cried in her bed. She never wanted to believe her favourite uncle was a bad person. Of course over the years, this had dimmed down but still, this small hurt had always been there.
"You are free of all charges then like you just said?" He steps back from her, grinning and nodding.
"Yeah, all free. Well, not all free, I have to pay a fine for being an illegal animagus but Amelia was kind enough to take that upon herself. Tonks grinned herself.
"That is awesome I-"
"HEM HEM" All talking stopped and they all turned to the very annoyed looking goblin. Well, all goblins always looked annoyed, but Lord Ragnok got to a new level.
"I am terribly sorry Lord Ragnok, of course, time is gold, we are here for a reason." Sirius hastily stated stepping up to the goblin. He just huffed, nodded and led them in an office. On the way in Andy leaned over to him, whispering.
"Have you any idea what this is about?"
Sirius shook his head, shrugging.
"Not the slightest. Remus thinks it has something to do with Grandpa." The came in a room that was way better than the boring plain corridors. Mostly made of marble and gold, a big oak desk with chairs in front of it. Thee chairs were the only thing odd, looking rather cheap and uncomfortable. Of course, goblins would make the chairs for the humans this way. An eye for an Eye, Sirius guessed while sitting down with everybody else. Ragnok folded his hands over the papers.
"Thank you all for coming. We are here for a few reasons. First of all, to read the last will of Lord Arcturus Black the Third. After that most of you are excused, but I will read the will of James and Lilly Potter to you, Mr Black." Sirius gulped a moment. He had been almost completely certain this was about his old man but Lils and Prongs. He had no idea, whether he would be ready.
Ragnok pulled out a paper and glasses, placing these on his nose, before leaning forward.
"Will of Lord Arcturus Orion Black the third, of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black, Order of Merlin First Class. I hereby declaring my Grandson, Sirius Orion Black the third as my heir and I bequeath all my possession to him. Should he die without an heir, refuse the title or die before picking up the title, I declare the next in line as my successor, in the traditional way of heritage. He has to care for my daughter in law, Walburga Black until she dies."
Ragnok lowered the paper. A moment of silence fell over the room before Sirius blurted out; "That's it?" Again the goblin folded his hands, nodding.
"Mr Black your grandfather never was a man of many words as you probably know. Wills can be surprisingly short." Sirius nodded, thinking back to the old man. He had a sharp mind, not really warm but not cruel like his parents. He was a Lord through and through. Sirius thought for a moment before he noticed everyone was looking at him. Ragnok raised his voice, placing something else on the table. It was a silver ring with the Black crest on the front. Next to the first, a second smaller ring appeared.
"Mr Black, do you accept the title of Lord Black?"
"I-"
Sirius' mouth snapped closed. His first instinct was to deny. Lordship, politics and all this that had never been his life. He hated his grandfather for training him all the time for this and all the bullshit he had to learn. So denying this would be easy, but he thought of Harry. What if he wanted to come live with him? He was an ex-convict, finding work would be difficult. Also as a Lord, he could give him such a better life and...He noticed the stares of the others. Andy just interested, for them this meant nothing they weren't even part of the family anymore. Cissy looked...strange. Not hungry but hopeful and a little frightened. Draco's eyes showed pure hunger. Of course, they would, if he refused, Draco would become the new Heir of Black probably.
"I accept." With a blink, the ring disappeared from the table and Sirius felt it around his finger. A gust of Magic flowed through the room.
Ragnok nodded.
"You are now Heir of House Black. You have to do the Ritual to become Lord and to be accepted as Lord by family magic. Since you are already here and we have a few witnesses, do you proclaim an heir yourself?"
Sirius didn't even need to think about it.
"Harry James Potter." The second ring disappeared somewhere and Ragnok nodded, writing something down. "I will let the Wizengamot know." Sirius nodded, turning the ring on his finger, before turning back to his family...no parts of his family, he thought.
"Do I already have the legal power of the Black family?" Ragnok nodded, slowly.
"Yes, you have. Since the current Lord of Black is dead you are acting Lord. Only family magic doesn't recognize you yet." Sirius knew this but he had to make sure. He turned to his cousin and her daughter.
"Andy I want to ask you if you want to return to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black. I will raise my power and my wand to your defence. Do you accept?" Andy widened her eyes and for a moment she was taken aback. She blinked rapidly, turning to her daughter. Nymphadora nodded eagerly, waving at her. Andy turned back, while the realization sank in and a wide smile appeared on her face.
"I accept, under the condition you will not press for an arranged marriage for Nymphadora." Sirius blinked for a moment. Andy would think he would do that? Well by the rules of their society, due to the fact that Black was a Most Ancient and Noble House, he could, but he would never.
"There will be no arranged marriages in this family." Sirius raised his Lord-ring, and Andy put the tip of her wand against it. A swirl of magic could be felt.
"In the name of House Black, I hereby reinstate Andromeda Tonks nee No-Name as a daughter into the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black. From this day forth you will be Andromeda Tonks nee Black by law, by oath and by magic. So have I sworn; so mote it be." The magic burst forth like a little bubble and Andy sighed in some kind of relieved way.
Sirius turned his head to his other cousin.
"Narcissa, I know you and your son wished for him to become Lord Black. I am sorry. Would there be other circumstances I would gladly let him have it. Harry is my number one priority, everything else comes second and I can protect him best with the power of House Black in my back. I hope you understand."
Narcissa Malfoy looked at her cousin for quite some time, thinking about the implications and worries. Her son was about to say something but she slapped him on the knee, silencing him in the process. She then nodded once, her face still unmoving and cold.
"I do understand the feeling of protecting your child. I am not happy but I understand."
Sirius nodded. "I know you are in House Malfoy and you are happy there, but should you EVER need anything, please come to me. We are family and I will help you, Cissy."
Again his cousin blinked at him, calculating, then she nodded. She turned to Ragnok.
"Lord Ragnok, I take this is the part where we are done?" He nodded and the Malfoys rose to their feet. Sirius also rose, good manners instilled since childhood even survived his teenage rebellion and twelve years in hell. He kissed his cousin's hand and shook the hand of a rather angry Draco. They left and Andy and her daughter rose also.
"Andy, Ny...Tonks. I would like it very much if you could stay for the Will of J-James and Lily. This is not easy for me." The two women looked at each other, nodded and sat down again. He did so too.
Ragnok nodded also, pulling out another paper. He corrected the placement of his glasses and raised his voice.
"This is the Will of James Potter and Lily Potter former Evans." The names in this way alone made Sirius' eyes tear up. He felt a strong warm hand take up his and squeeze it for comfort. Andy hadn't turned her head to him, but he knew she noticed.
"All our belongings, our fortune and everything we have, we hereby leave to our only Son and the light of our lives Harry James Potter. In case of our death, we appoint our good friend Sirius Black as his guardian. Should he refuse and not be capable we declare our friends Alice and Frank Longbottoms as his guardians. We hereby forbid him from being taken to our relatives Vernon and Petunia Dursley. Our fortune will be handled in the time between our deaths and the guardian taking over by Lord Ragnok the thirteen of clan Silver Grip, may his gold shine long and his enemies die in agony. In the case we hope will never happen and Harry dies without an heir we hereby leave all our fortune to Hogwarts school of wizardry and witchcraft, with the strict condition it is used to support muggle-born children. One thousand galleons shall also be left to Remus Lupin, to help him in his already difficult life. We hope this will is not needed for many many years."
Sirius couldn't hold back his tears. Warm they run down his cheeks. Their hope had been come true but in a twisted kind of way. He sniffed for a moment.
"H-Has this will been read out before?" He asked with a shaking voice. Ragnok nodded.
"To one Albus Dumbledore." Sirius froze and shook.
"When?"
Ragnok cast down his eyes on the paper, reading something up.
"November the first, 1981." Sirius froze a little, that was the day after their death. Andy gripped his hand closer. "That bastard!" Sirius exclaimed raising to his feet.
"He knew! He knew Lils and Prongs said not bringing Harry to these horrible people! What else did he do?" Sirius boiled on the inside.
Ragnok again consulted the papers.
"He tried to get access to the Potter vault, claiming the part about the support of muggle-born children. Of course," the goblin smiled. "Gringotts denied his petition stating the requirements were not met. It is also stated there has been an incident in this."
"What incident ?" The newly minted Lord Black asked.
Ragnok looked up, tilting his head.
"The notes do not state. I myself didn't read this to Lord Dumbledore, but I can find out if you wish." Sirius nodded and Ragnok made a note before looking up.
"This is everything Lord Black, thank you for your time. Madam Tonks, Madam Tonks." Sirius nodded, then bowed deep when Andy and Nymphadora rose to their feet.
"Thank you for your time Lord Ragnok. May your enemies bleed form a thousand wounds and the gold in your vault double." The goblin nodded, with a short smile. Polite wizards are rare he thought to himself.
Sirius stormed to the door, throwing it open, the Tonks women behind him.
"Where to Sirius?" Andy asked with a little worry in her voice.
"I will get my wand from the DMLE back and then I find that old geezer and I will rip his bloody beard off." Andy clasped around his wrist stopping him. He turned, noticing what Andy looked at. Narcissa was standing near the door, conflicted feelings on her face. Worry and hope at the same time Sirius would think, making his way over to her.
"Narcissa, what is it? I don't have much time." Narcissa chewed on her lip a little bit, blinking at him.
"I-It...We..." Sirius softened his gaze a little and he sat on one of the benches, making her sit down too. He took is cousins hand, felt them ice cold.
"Cissy, what is wrong?"
She looked up at him, gripping his hand a little more forceful.
"It's about Draco. I heard what you said about her." She nodded towards Nymphadora and her mother, who had stepped away a few meters. "And arranged marriages. Draco is in one with a girl named Pansy Parkinson." Sirius nodded, he knew the Parkinsons. Rather unpleasant people.
"He is not very happy with it and I hoped you I.." He smiled raising his ring hand.
"I can. He is part of House Black as well and since we are a Most Ancient and Noble house, we outdo House Malfoy in matters of heritage and House politics. Luckily this is the case. You want me to?"
She nodded quickly.
"What's your sons and husbands full name?"
"Draco Lucius Malfoy and Lucius Malfoy." Sirius sat straight, raising his ring hand.
"I, Sirius Orion Black, Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House Black hereby overturn the decision of Lucius Malfoy arranging the marriage between his son, Draco Lucius Malfoy and the daughter of the noble House Parkinson as it is my right due to the law of primacy. So have I sworn; so mote it be."
Small tears appeared in Narcissa's eyes and for the first time, she smiled at her cousin in years.
"Thank you, Sirius." He nodded then he stood.
"No problem. If Lucius acts out, you are under my protection, send him to me, I will deal with him." She nodded, wiping the tears away.
"Now I have to murder an old fool." Sirius exclaimed while storming down the corridor, suddenly stopping a second time. He felt something in his magic, through the ring. He never had felt something like this before but instantly he knew what to he had to do. He turned to Andy, who had followed him.
"I need to go!"