First Stop: Gringotts

Chapter 9

A few members of the Wizengamot stepped down from the Judges' table to shake hands with Sirius, some gracious enough to offer their apologies and also congratulating him. Sirius got his wand back and some of the Wizengamot stopped to watch as it gave out a shower of crimson and silver sparks. Sirius then signed the papers that Madam Bones had produced before him, the smile never leaving his face.

Harry and Sirius had then been mobbed by frantic reporters waiting in the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic, seemingly having gotten wind of the result of the trial from the grapevines. It seemed even the Ministry workers had stopped to watch what was causing all the bedlam.

"Mr. Potter, can I have a word—"

"Mr. Black, did you really confound Harry Potter to provide witness for you—?"

Sirius was scowling again and Harry was amused to note the reporters were standing a good three feet away from him, simultaneously walking fast to keep up with him yet also at a distance.

They took the telephone box ride up as they could not shout their address in the Floo with all the reporters watching in. It was a relief to step out into the relatively calm muggle street. They reached a dirty alleyway flowing with rubbish and Sirius stretched out his arm. "Grab on to my hand. You can Side-Along Apparate with me."

Harry took hold of Sirius' arm when Sirius warned, "Hold tight. Here we go."

He felt Sirius' arm twist away from him and redoubled his grip; the next thing he knew, everything went black and he was being squeezed from all directions; he could not breathe, his eyeballs were being forced back and his eardrums were being pushed into his skull and then—

He gasped, taking in great lungfulls of air and opened his streaming eyes. That was the most bizarre sensation he had ever experienced, like that of being squeezed through a taut rubber tube.

Sirius was bending down to look at him properly. "Are you alright? You do need some practice to get used to the sensation…"

"I'm fine," said Harry, rubbing his ears which felt rather like he was underwater. "But I think I prefer brooms…"

Sirius gave a bark of laughter, clapping him on the back. Harry felt his ears pop at the sudden jerk. It was then that Harry noticed they were standing on the top step outside the familiar door of Number 12.

oOo

Lunch was prepared by Kreacher, who for once kept the muttering to a minimum. After a comforting portion of steak-and-kidney pie (there was no dessert), they had a visitor in the form of Remus Lupin.

He looked pale and anxious as he entered but he got one look at Sirius and nearly burst into tears. Harry found it quite amusing to see the usually mild-mannered man displaying his happiness so exuberantly.

"You made it! You finally made it!" Lupin embraced Sirius, who was beaming in obvious happiness as he gestured him to sit.

"You should have seen Harry," said Sirius, shaking his head and grinning. "He put down Fudge in front of the entire Wizengamot."

Lupin's eyes widened comically. "What?"

Harry looked down rather sheepishly and pushed a plate in front of Lupin. "It wasn't like that."

Sirius was roaring with laughter. "He told the Wizengamot that they were no better than Voldemort!"

Lupin looked torn between being scandalized and amused and settled for taking a sip of water. He put down the glass and smiled. "Well, at least it all turned out well in the end."

"They gave back Sirius' wand," said Harry inconsequentially, nodding at Sirius who produced it out of his robes.

"I've used my grandfather's spare wand all this time, but this definitely feels so much better," said Sirius, waving his wand as the dishes washed themselves.

Members of the Order like Tonks, Kingsley, and Moody had stopped by later with bottles of Firewhiskey to congratulate Sirius and then toasted to him. The Order members had a casual meeting of sorts and Harry had retired for a nap. It had been a long day.

oOo

Thursday, June 27

SIRIUS BLACK INNOCENT

In a surprising turn of events this Wednesday, Sirius Black, notorious mass-murderer, charged with killing twelve muggles and a wizard named Peter Pettigrew and also infamous for being the first person ever to break out of Azkaban, has been cleared of all charges and declared innocent.

Black, who was spotted helping Harry Potter during the mysterious disturbance at the Ministry of Magic last Thursday, was summoned for a trial presided by newly re-reinstated Chief Warlock Albus Dumbledore. Black, who arrived at the Ministry willingly along with Harry Potter, was tried by the entire Wizengamot in a closed session and found to have been falsely accused of killing the thirteen people.

In a press release by the Ministry on Wednesday evening, it was revealed that Black was framed by the aforementioned Pettigrew, who had been assumed dead for fifteen years. Pettigrew is currently a Death Eater and responsible for the resurrection of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and also for betraying the Potters' location to the Dark Lord during the last war.

Rumours abound that Harry Potter, who is now revealed to be Sirius Black's godson, accepted the accusation by a Wizengamot member that he aided Black in escaping the country after he had realised the truth of Black's innocence. Read more on why Sirius Black was falsely accused on Pg. 4

Mr. Potter also insinuated that the current Minister of Magic had been abusing his rights as Minister in matters of justice. This turn of events cannot bode well for Cornelius Fudge who is now facing an inquiry in light of recent events. Read more on why Harry Potter wants Fudge out on Pg. 7

The Wizengamot has publicly apologised to Mr. Sirius Black for the discredit to his name and has allowed for compensation to be made immediately. He has also been granted the legal guardianship of our young hero, Harry Potter (more on Pg. 12).

oOo

The day after Sirius' trial, the Daily Prophet seemed to have taken an undue amount of interest on Sirius. People from all over England had something to say – some were Sirius' year mates, some had been Sirius' past girlfriends and some were people he had no idea of. There were many claiming they had known he was innocent all along and others berating the Ministry for freeing a violent mass-murderer.

"Ah, shame. You can't please everyone," said Sirius nonchalantly.

"Looks like people have something new to talk about other than me," commented Harry offhandedly as he flipped through the pages of the Daily Prophet. Sirius snorted.

"Oh, here I am! Who was I kidding?" Harry said in a mock-surprised voice as he leaned in to read an article, THE CHOSEN ONE'S GUARDIAN, SIRIUSLY?

Sirius looked over Harry's shoulder to see the article when Harry said, "Now that's a bad pun."

"At least they got a decent picture of me," said Sirius happily.

Harry couldn't help but grin at that. Sirius was right.

It was one of the only pictures Harry liked himself in because it was shot when Harry wasn't looking. It was just after the trial had ended and Sirius and Harry had walked through a bustling Atrium. Harry had been quite put out at the presence of all the cameramen and reporters, when Sirius had clapped him on the shoulder comfortingly.

The picture showed Sirius with a hand on Harry's shoulder, beaming and Harry was looking down to keep his face away from the reporters, but a small smile tugged his lips.

oOo

Friday, June 28

The next day, Sirius had suggested to Harry that the first thing they did to celebrate his freedom was to visit Gringotts. Harry was slightly apprehensive about showing up in public again but he also knew that they needed money first for anything and everything.

So, after a simple breakfast and a fair bit of transfiguration on both of them by Sirius, they had Side-Along Apparated to the Leaky Cauldron and then left for Diagon Alley.

Diagon Alley was different to how Harry remembered it as today was Hogwarts' last day and consequentially, there were no students bustling about doing their shopping. The students were probably getting onto the train at Hogsmeade at the moment.

The Daily Prophet stands were overflowing with newspapers showing the front page proclaiming Sirius' acquittal. There were moving photographs of Sirius along with his parents during their wedding, and the new one of both Sirius and Harry. Sirius had jokingly remarked that Voldemort would be buggered that his return was shunned to second page.

They reached Gringotts and the goblin at the reception peered over his spectacles at Sirius who calmly stated his name. "Sirius Black, here to make a withdrawal."

Harry wondered if the goblin would believe him with their transfigured faces, but the goblin grinned maliciously. "Ah, Mr. Black. One of our old customers. I will need identification as you seem to be in disguise."

"Of course," said Sirius.

The goblin produced a quill that was all too familiar to Harry. He watched apprehensively as Sirius picked it up and signed on a piece of parchment.

The ink from his signature (which he knew by now was blood) spidered out and combined again to form the word 'Black'. The goblin seemed satisfied but Harry was puzzled.

Sirius explained on seeing Harry's quizzical look. "If I were someone else, it would have revealed my true identity."

Harry nodded, taking in this new information about blood quills.

Sirius added, "We'll need to visit Harry Potter's too."

The goblin looked over at Harry and grinned, showing pointed teeth. Harry handed his key to the goblin for inspection and apparently satisfied, he nodded. "Very well. Gornuk, take Mr. Black to his vault."

A young goblin ushered them to the carts off of the hallway.

Harry looked up at Sirius curiously. "Why don't you have a key?"

"Because," said Sirius, "the Black family is a very old one and have been doing business with the goblins for centuries. The only good thing about being a Black I guess, or I could never have gotten you that Firebolt."

Harry grinned and Sirius stopped talking after that as the cart zoomed forward. It would be hard to hear with the wind whistling past them anyway.

They reached Harry's vault first. Gornuk unlocked the door and stepped outside, waiting. Harry moved to collect his gold when Sirius put a hand on his shoulder to stop him. "We don't need to use your money, that's my responsibility from now. We're here for something else."

Puzzled, but also feeling a warm sort of happiness, Harry looked intrigued as Sirius walked to the left wall of his vault. He felt the rough stone wall for something and apparently found it as his fingers curled along a hidden groove. He pulled out a concealed compartment and Harry watched awestruck as Sirius searched inside it.

He pulled out a sheaf of parchment and read through it. "Here it is. These are the documents for your grandparents' house. James told me that they mentioned in their will to sell it and raise the money for a charity organization that fights for Muggles' rights. James never got around to doing it as he went into hiding shortly after."

"So, the house still belongs to us?" asked Harry, piecing the information.

"Yes, as a matter of fact. And it's where we are going to stay," said Sirius, grinning.

Harry's eyes widened. "Really? We get to stay in my grandparents' home?"

Sirius smiled nostalgically. "I told Dumbledore about it and he has agreed to provide it with more protection than what already your grandfather put in place. You'll love it, Harry."

Harry beamed. It felt like someone had granted him a wish he had never known he had made.

Sirius suddenly looked uncertain. "I meant to ask earlier — it's technically your house after all — would it be alright if Remus stays with us?"

"Of course!" said Harry immediately. "You didn't even have to ask. I'll like the extra company. Besides, he's family too."

Sirius grinned and ruffled his hair. "Thanks."

Harry huffed as he tried to flatten his hair again and watched as Sirius noted down the address on a spare bit of parchment and put it in his pocket, explaining. "I always Flooed or Portkeyed to your dad's so I haven't a clue to its exact address until now."

Still quite giddy with happiness, Harry simply nodded and they left his vault to visit Sirius' next. They went deeper and the cart was gathering speed. The air became colder as they hurtled round tight corners. Harry thought that their path looked vaguely familiar as they went rattling over an underground ravine and he realized this was almost the same path as he went on when he first visited Gringotts – to Vault 713.

They stopped in front of Vault 711 – his guess wasn't quite bad after all. Like the vault he visited during his first year, it had no keyhole. Gornuk slid his finger down the wall and the door melted to reveal a dimly lit, cavernous room, glinting with mounds and mounds of gold, much more than even Harry's vault had held. There were even artefacts and precious gemstones and jewels on another deep corner farther away.

Sirius started piling the gold into four drawstring bags and explained to him. "The original Black family vault exists, but is no longer in use of course. When there is a new generation of children, the money is split up according to hierarchy into their own separate vaults that don't need keys for identification, but wands or blood instead. A stupid pureblood notion using blood if you ask me, thinking themselves above the muggleborns because they have vaults in Gringotts for generations."

Harry made a sweeping gesture with his hand to indicate the gold. "But didn't your mother blast you off the tapestry? I thought you were disowned."

"Yes," said Sirius with a grimace. "I inherited some from my Uncle Alphard after he died. But as it turned out, my grandfather still had my name down as one of the heirs. That's how I got the house since Regulus died and I'm the only heir left."

Sirius pocketed two bags of gold and handed the rest to Gornuk. "I'll need them in muggle currency."

"That can be arranged in the reception area," said Gornuk.

They once again set off on the carts, whooshing past the darkness. A burst of light on his right blinded him and Harry craned his neck to look out the swiftly-moving cart.

"I've always wondered, do they have dragons here?" Harry asked, shouting to be heard.

"I remember seeing one here when I was a boy," Sirius yelled back and they finally reached the upper levels. Harry found himself sitting in the waiting area, nervously trying to avoid the curious glances of the goblins while Sirius exchanged the money.

After Gringotts, Sirius had stopped at Madam Malkin's to get himself fitted for brand-new robes. He had also forced a half-hearted Harry into getting some regular-wear robes and one for formal occasions. "You're a growing wizard! You're going to need it, trust me," he had said when Harry tried to refuse.

Sirius had shrunken the wrapped parcels, pocketed it, and they left Diagon Alley for a quick lunch at the Leaky Cauldron and then walked into muggle London.

Harry found it amusing when Sirius kept getting distracted with all the new models of motorcycles and cars racing down the roads. He quizzed Harry about them endlessly. Harry had to tell him for the hundredth time that he had no idea about things like that because he hadn't been keeping up with the Muggle world.

"This is pretty much the first time I'm spending a day out in Muggle London since I was eleven," said Harry exasperatedly.

Sirius growled in annoyance. "Those bloody Dursleys! Are you sure we shouldn't pay them a visit? I'd love to give them a piece of my mind."

"No," said Harry quickly. "I'd like to forget they even existed."

Sirius was still frowning, but a moment later, he glanced down at Harry and his expression cleared. "Well then, our next stop is for clothes."

Harry looked at him, bewildered. "More clothes? But we already got them at Madam Malkin's, didn't we?"

"I mean Muggle ones. I can't let you wear that whale of your cousin's clothes. Besides, once we get new ones, it's best if you just burn them," said Sirius, grimacing.

Harry snickered. That sounded about right.

oOo

A/N: Sirius' grandfather died only after both his parents did according to Pottermore. My reasoning is that despite their differences, Arcturus would have wanted his grandson to inherit everything of their wealth even though Walburga disowned him, thus Sirius having Arcturus' wand, the right to ownership of Number 12 and the money in the vault.