Title: The Rise of the Reaper

Author name: Ham

Summary: After the death of his Godfather Harry nearly breaks, the only thing holding him together is a terrible rage. He swears to himself that he will destroy Voldemort and his minions. The thing Voldemort fears above all is death and so Harry decides to turn himself into death. The feared Dark Lord would learn what fear was all about.

DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Author notes: The second chapter. I know that many of you will have the been there done that sort of attitude after reading it... but have patience.. it will get different from next chapter onwards.

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Padfoot's Last Prank

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It was a normal day at Number 4 Privet Drive. The sun was shining, Dudley was stuffing his face, Uncle Vernon was cribbing about rising taxes and Aunt Petunia was craning her long neck out of the window to see what the woman over at Number 3 was doing.

It was a source of great amusement to Harry to see his Aunt's nosiness. He had found out when he was around seven or so that his Aunt had a great fondness for Agatha Christie novels, especially those featuring Miss Marple. No doubt she thought herself similar to the fictional heroine, the way she kept an eye on everybody lest they be upto no good.

He snickered quietly and went back to weeding the garden. It was a mindless task that kept him busy and allowed him to keep himself from brooding about his life and the thrice damned prophecy. Also he had realized that the day was really too pleasant to be spent indoors.

He was surprised then, to see a familiar figure walking up the street, dressed in worn jeans and a checked shirt and looking a lot wearier than he usually did.

"Hey, Moony," Harry called out in surprise. "What are you doing here? Is anything wrong?"

Remus gave a tired smile. "Don't I feel all welcome! Is there any reason I can't come to meet my cub?"

Harry shook his head. "You know I didn't mean that. It's just that you've never come to meet me before… and what with all that's happened…" he trailed off, looking away in order to hide his tears.

Remus looked at him sharply and grabbed his chin and tilted it till he could look into Harry's eyes. "That wasn't your fault. Never blame yourself for it. Harry… me and Padfoot were at Headquarters when we heard that you had gone to the Ministry to save him. You have no idea how terrified we were… and how proud. You were ready to risk everything to try and save him. Do you begrudge him the same opportunity?"

Harry shook his head, wiping away his tears roughly.

"He had a hard life, cub, and he was one of the most unlucky men I knew. But I know that wherever he is right now, he is happy."

Remus looked at Harry for a long moment. "But you are right, there is a reason I have come today."

Harry's looked up, a small smile on his face at being proven right.

"You need to accompany me to Gringotts for Sirius' will reading. You are one of the beneficiaries and need to be present."

Harry looked stunned. "But… but… I could… I could never…" he stammered.

"Harry, I too am uncomfortable about it," Remus sighed. "The very thought of benefiting in any way by his death makes me sick. But it was his last wish and if that is what he wanted then I must honour him."

Harry was silent for a long time before he finally nodded. "How are we getting there?"

"We can walk to Figgy's and floo to The Leaky Cauldron from there," Remus answered.

Harry nodded. "Let me just go and get cleaned up and tell the Dursleys."

"You go get cleaned up and I'll let them know," Remus told him.

Harry shrugged and walked into the house and upstairs, leaving Remus to talk to the Dursleys.

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Harry didn't know what Remus had said to the Dursleys but by the time he had come back down none of them were around.

The walk to Arabella Figg's house was silent as both he and Remus tried to ready themselves for what was sure to be a very difficult day.

The door was opened by the batty old cat lover that Harry now knew to be a squib. She beamed at him fondly and he managed a polite smile. He really didn't know how to behave in front of her anymore. He had known her all his life as an old muggle, eccentric, no doubt, but a muggle. Now that he knew that she had known about magic all along it threw everything into a different perspective. He couldn't see her as being the same person.

Fortunately for him they didn't linger there for too long and in a minute Harry felt himself rushing through the floo and staggering out at the Leaky Cauldron exit, feeling like he had been shaken very enthusiastically in a cocktail shaker.

He had been barely chucked out of the fireplace when he felt himself engulfed in a tight hug.

"Hug him any tighter and you might just break him in half, Mum," a voice commented from somewhere behind Harry, one of the twins, no doubt.

That immediately made Mrs. Weasley let go and Harry grinned weakly as she fussed over him, brushing the soot off his clothes.

She had barely let go when Hermione grabbed him in a hug. "Hi, Harry. How've you been? Are the Dursleys giving you any trouble? You know you can call me, right? Do you still have my number? Will they allow you to make phone calls?" she said looking him over anxiously.

Harry smiled at her, knowing she was worried about him and it was her way of showing it.

"They are behaving fine and if I need to call you I will," Harry said gently.

He felt someone slapping his back good naturedly and looked up to find Ron grinning at him. "All right, mate?"

Harry grinned and nodded.

He looked around to see most of the Weasleys present, as well as Tonks and Remus.

His eyes fell on Ginny and he smiled at her. "Hey Ginny, how's your summer been so far?"

She smiled back. "Not too bad. The weather has been mostly good and it's been nice to spend time at the Burrow again."

Harry frowned and turned to Ron. "I thought that you guys were staying at Headquarters."

"Well…" Ron hesitated.

"We were not sure if it was safe, Harry," Remus said gently. "We hadn't known that Sirius had left a will and in case there wasn't one then the house would have automatically gone to the next of kin, in this case, Bellatrix Lestrange."

Harry's eyes flashed at hearing Bellatrix's name but he only nodded curtly.

They made their way to Gringotts and the closer they got to the great white building the more nervous Harry got. He didn't want to be here, he couldn't face this, not today, not so soon. But before he knew it they were past the great silver doors and into a large conference room.

He noticed Dumbledore walk in out of the corner of his eye and take a seat at the head of the table, with him was an aristocratic woman with long chestnut coloured hair and vivid blue eyes that reminded him unerringly of Sirius. Before he could greet the Headmaster he was distracted by a well dressed Goblin walking into the room and clearing his throat to get their attention.

"It is time for the reading of the last will and testament of the late Sirius Cygnus Black. Is everybody present?"

"All are present," Dumbledore said calmly.

"Very well then. My name is Fliptusk and I am responsible for handling the estate of the Black family. Sometime last month Mr. Black had come to Gringotts and made his will. It negates all previous wills and is legal and binding."

Harry exchanged an incredulous look with Remus. How had Padfoot managed to sneak away to Gringotts to make the will?

Fliptusk removed a small crystal ball from a velvet box and placed it on the table. "Please hold your questions till the will reading is done." Saying that he tapped the crystal twice and stepped back.

Suddenly the voice of Sirius filled the room and Harry clutched the arms of his chair tightly.

"A hearty welcome to all of you gathered here today, I thank you for coming.

Harry, before we go any further you need to know a few things. When James and Lily died and I was sent to Azkaban I knew that my life as I knew it was over and that was nobody's fault but Wormtail's. When I escaped I was consumed by revenge. It was all I thought about. It was all that mattered.

But that day in the shrieking shack you saved me from myself. You stood up to me and reminded me of who and what I am. I thank you for that. I know it wasn't an easy thing to do.

I don't know how I died and it does not matter. I chose to fight, and if it came to that, I chose to die. I made my choice and have never regretted it.

Harry looked down into his lap to hide his tears and he was pretty sure that Remus was just as affected.

Right… with that out of the way lets get on with the division of the loot, shall we?

To Molly and Arthur Weasley, I leave five hundred thousand galleons. Thank you for taking care of Harry and loving him like your own.

Molly and Arthur both looked stunned and were about to protest when the Goblin glared at them sternly.

To Fred and George Weasley, I leave two hundred and fifty thousand galleons and a trunk full of diaries that belonged to the Marauders, which has details of all their pranks and research. Keep up the pranking you two.

Fred and George's eyes shone brightly. Nothing could have been more valuable to them than this.

To Ron and Ginny Weasley, and Hermione Granger I leave two hundred and fifty thousand galleons each, to be held in trust for you till you reach your majority.

To Remus Lupin, I leave the sum of one million galleons and the Black Manor in London. Now, Moony, I have seen you wearing those raggedy robes for a good bit now and frankly, it made me ill. I couldn't drag you out to buy clothes due to my 'wanted' status, but now I fully expect you to spend a lot of money on yourself. Oh, and when you go shopping, take Harry along. The kid looks like he's been wearing clothes formerly belonging to a Hippopotamus.

Remus shook his head at his friend's antics. He had never changed till the end.

Now moving on to Andy and Nymphadora.

"Don't call me that!" Tonks screamed, looking immediately embarrassed afterwards.

The sound of Sirius snickering could be heard.

I know that I can get away with calling you that now, because there is nothing you can do to me! Ha!

Anyway, getting back to topic. I, Sirius Black, in my authority of head of the Black family, hereby welcome Andromeda Black Tonks back into the family. She will receive all the rights and privileges of a Black once again.

I further leave her and her daughter one million galleons each.

I think that takes care of most of the little odds and ends. Now on to the most important part.

I had always hoped to someday change the Black family name and have it known for something other than its misdeeds. Unfortunately I never got the chance in my lifetime. But what I could not do in my lifetime I shall do with the event of my death.

I hereby recognize my Godson, Harry James Potter, as my magical heir and grant him the Lordship of the House of Black. From this day onwards he shall forever be known as Lord Harry James Potter Black.

All remaining property, money, heirlooms and shares are to go to him.

There was a long pause as Sirius considered something and everybody held their breath to see what huge bombshell Sirius would break next.

As my last act as Godfather of said Harry James Potter I emancipate him in both the magical and muggle worlds.

Best of luck, Harry. Me, Prongs and Lily will be watching over you. Always remember how much we loved you. Live your life to the fullest for us, cub. It's what we want for you.

Mischief Managed

And with that the will reading of Sirius Black was over leaving a stunned audience, which included the most powerful wizard in the world.

The consequences of the will would change the world.

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