THE NEW ORDER
By
Padfootjr24
Chapter Nineteen: Lord Black
"Master Harry, Master Harry!" Harry distantly heard a rather high pitched voice whispering in a rather strained manner. He didn't recognize the voice but at the moment he had no intention of responding. He felt absolutely awful and he had no intention of doing anything but staying right where he was and sleeping for the rest of time. As he lay there, ignoring the attempts to gain his attention, he vowed that he would never take another drink again. Granted most people have made that same vow at one time or another and it was just as easily forgotten on some later date.
"Master Harry!" He groaned slightly as the squeaky voice seemed to cut right through his head. When the person began shaking his arm to get his attention he seemed to realize that they weren't going to simply go away if ignored so he turned his head in their direction and cracked open his eyes slightly which he just as quickly closed again when the sun shining in the windows stabbed painfully into his left eye. Taking a bit more precaution, he half buried his head into his pillow and used only his right eye. In his current condition he had a little trouble adjusting his magical eye for a moment but he got it eventually and noticed a house elf he hadn't met before.
"Who are you?" He asked groggily.
"I is Annie Master Harry Sir." He was too tired to show his surprise at meeting a house elf with a human name. A house elf that seemed to be looking at anything other than him. In fact she looked distinctly uncomfortable and absolutely embarrassed.
"Something wrong?"
"No Master Sir." She stuttered out while focusing on spot on the wall. "Twinkle just sent Annie to wake you for Master's meeting with the Goblins Sir." Harry lay there for several moments with his eyes shut tight before he groaned again and pushed himself into a sitting position while putting his feet on the floor. His head snapped up when the odd elf squeaked and he saw her eyes go wide before she quickly diverted his eyes again. He sat there with a confused look on his face before he looked around to see what had her so nervous. It didn't take him long to find out. His arm quickly snapped out to grab hold of the sheet to cover himself.
"Oi, give that back!" The sudden addition of a new voice sent Harry flying to his feet with a loud shout, leaving his sheet behind. Harry's sudden movement and the return to view of his, um, bits and pieces, caused Annie to shout out loud before she quickly popped away. Spinning around all thoughts of nudity flew from his mind, well his nudity anyway. His eyes went as wide as dinner plates and his mouth nearly hit the floor when he saw a very groggy Nymphadora Tonks propped up on her elbow weakly reaching for the sheet that had, until recently, covered her. "Can't believe how inconsiderate people are." She muttered to herself as she grasped it but suddenly she stopped and seemed to go stiff. She slowly raised her head and looked at Harry with much of the same look that Harry was showing. A look that betrayed shock, embarrassment, horror and as their eyes took in each other's, 'assets', a little appreciation for what they were looking at as the memories of the night before slowly started to come back.
However, Tonks at least, was pulled out of her almost paralyzed states when the door to Harry's room burst open and damn near the entire household rushed in with wands raised, ready for any confrontation, though most of them looked as if they could use a healthy dose of Pepper-up potion. The noise spurred Tonks into action and she was finally able to recover her sheet but it was a bit to late as a few of them were able to get peek, though it would be a few moments after the fact that they would realize what they were seeing. Harry however wasn't so lucky. He didn't seem to notice the door slamming open or even the large group of people that rushed into his room.
"Harry, Harry snap out of it." Taking his eyes off of Tonks he raised his head and saw the assorted group before him. Bill was looking into his eyes with amusement while Snape seemed to roll his eyes and stalk back out the door. Everyone else, Dung and his friends were barely holding themselves upright as they laughed hysterically. "Decide to do a little redecorating Harry?" Bill asked with a grin that was disturbingly similar to that of Fred and George. Harry looked confused for a moment before he looked around and found his room in absolute shambles. There wasn't a piece of furniture left upright and even many of the pictures on the wall had been knocked to the floor. However, unlike the last time something like this had happened, it wasn't a release of anger that had caused the destruction. Finally snapping out of his stupor Harry looked down with wide eyes before he bent over and picked up two throw pillows that usually rested on the couch that was flipped over on the other side of the room. Using one to cover his backside and the other to cover, other things, Harry sucked in what dignity he had left and walked casually to the bathroom.
"We'll see you and your pet iguana downstairs Harry." Bill called after him before he finally lost his composure and began laughing with the others. He waved happily to Tonks as she peeked out from under her sheet before leading the others out of the room.
Harry and Tonks sat at opposite ends of the table while they were eating breakfast and for the most part they kept their eyes firmly fixed to the table. Unfortunately if you find yourself in a similar situation it is bound to be a very embarrassing experience if the majority of your companions happen to thieves and hooligans that have a very crude sense of humor. In the end Harry decided to cut his losses and retreat to the library when even Susan began poking fun at him. However he was disappointed to find that his refuge was already occupied by Snape who was looking over some rather ancient looking potions manuscripts.
"So Potter…" He began in that silky condescending voice but Harry quickly cut him off.
"Don't even start Snape, I had enough of that downstairs. Besides, my memory might be a bit hazy with some details but you weren't exactly a pillar of morality last night either." Harry snapped before he sank down into one of the tall leather chairs. Snape's mouth snapped shut as he remembered all the crude songs he sung all the laughing and carrying on. Acting like a, like a, Gryffindor. He shuddered at the thought. The two sat in absolute silence for several minutes before Fawkes showed up in his customary burst of flames before he perched himself on the back of Harry's chair and dropped a odd shaped letter in his lap. No matter how many times he sees the phoenix arrive like that Harry just never gets tired of seeing it. Opening the letter he found the reason for its strange shape as his wand fell out. Placing his wand in his pocket he unfolded the letter and groaned quietly to himself when he recognized Dumbledore's loopy handwriting. Despite the fact that Fawkes had delivered the letter he held out hope that it was from someone else at Hogwarts and just had Dumbledore send it off.
Harry
As the primary beneficiary of Sirius' estate it would customarily be your responsibility to inform the others named in his Will of their need to attend on the day of the reading. However due to your unusual situation I have notified most of those who Sirius wished to attend with the exception of those who are currently working within your 'organization'. Below are the names of those to be informed. This letter will act as a portkey and transport you and your party to the lobby of Gringotts at 10:30.
Albus
Fletcher, Mundungus
Snape, Severus
Tonks, Nymphadora
Weasley, William
Harry breathed a sigh of relief that Dumbledore didn't mention the events of the previous night and hoped that the man would just let it be. There were serious problems between the two of them but the Headmaster is the type of man that usually feels the need to try talk through a problem when the only thing it will do is make the problem bigger. Sometimes it is just better to let things be and fix themselves. Shaking off such thoughts he concentrated on the upcoming meeting and he was deeply confused about some things.
"Snape, I received a letter from Gringotts last week informing me of the will reading. Why am I just now getting instructions to inform others of their need to attend?" He asked the man curiously. Normally he would prefer to ask someone else but after what happened at breakfast he didn't want to open himself up to any more wisecracks when there wasn't a need. Snape looked momentarily surprised but quickly composed himself and looked on with his usual sneer. "Knock off the evil potions master routine for a bit. I need a straight answer not snide comments about how ignorant I am." Despite his annoyance Harry was surprised when the man gave him just that. Of course he did sneer the entire time.
"The less people that attend such proceedings the smoother it goes. The more people that attend the greater the chance for conflict and legal challenges by those who are unhappy with what they were left, or rather not left. Unlike the muggle world where appeals can go on forever, once the will has been read and those present have had a chance to speak if they wish, the goblins close the meeting and it is done with. As Black's heir you are required to be present but everyone else is inconsequential. They are notified a few hours before the reading to cause greater conflicts with their normal schedule in the hopes that they just wont show up or they arrive late or the possibility that the heir will simply not inform them which is better. If they are not at the bank when the meeting starts they are not allowed in and must simply take what they get without the chance to appeal so the goblins won't have to deal with them." He explained quickly before going back to his own work.
"Well that's sensible I guess. Alright, we have to leave in about half an hour!" Harry stated before standing up again. Snape's head shot back up and he looked at Harry as if he were crazy.
"There is no 'we' Potter. I have no desire or intention of accompanying you. I have no interest in the mutt's last wishes."
"You're name is on this list so you're going." Snape looked confused for a moment before his eyes hardened.
"You are in no position to order me to do anything Potter." He said in a dangerous tone but Harry didn't pay any attention.
"It wasn't meant to be an order, I was stating a fact. While it is a distinct possibility that Sirius wanted you present to give himself an opportunity at a final prank the fact remains that curiosity will eventually bring you around. Now, the portkey leaves at 10:30 so be downstairs on time." He responded with a grin before leaving without giving Snape a chance to argue. Informing Dung of the plans was relatively easy since he just walked up to him told him to get ready and walked back out of the while ignoring the comments of those around him. Bill was a similar situation but the look in his eyes showed Harry exactly what he was thinking so he beat a hasty retreat in search of Tonks while cursing all Weasleys. After a bit of thought he decided to take the coward's way out and sent Twinkle to let Tonks know since he was pretty sure that he probably would be able to string together a coherent sentence if he started thinking about what had happened last night and what he had seen that morning.
As the time grew closer Harry was standing alone in the entrance hall just wanting to get this over with. Despite the outstanding security at Gringotts Harry wasn't taking any chances and was wearing his battlerobes as well as his emergency portkey just incase. Once again he charmed his robes to look the same rust color as he had before on all previous raids. He didn't know why he was still doing it but he just had a feeling that their battlerobes should remain a secret for now.
Truth be told Harry had no interest what so ever in the Black fortune or anything that went with. If he had his way he would simply give the money away and burn Grimmauld Place to the ground. 'Though I'm told it looks much better now.' He chuckled to himself when he thought of the charms Bill and Mundungus had placed throughout the house. He was pulled out of his amusement however when the objects of his previous thought approached him with wide grins on their faces. Bill would be taking a separate portkey to the bank a few minutes after them so that any passers by would not see him arrive with them and then connect him with the Raiders.
"You say one word and I swear I'll break both your legs." He growled to the two men but his threat didn't seem to faze their humorous attitudes. They did, however, keep their mouths shut. Just seconds later Tonks entered the room and his anger quickly turned to panic. With a loud squeak he quickly turned away and suddenly found the running boards along the wall very fascinating. Even with threats of violence hanging over them this was just to much for Bill and Dung who nearly collapsed in a fit of barking laughter. Tonks, like Harry was also wearing her battlerobes, just stood there as if nothing out of the ordinary was going on and ignoring the actions of her three companions. When the timer on his watch began to chime Harry nearly jumped out of his skin before he withdrew Dumbledore's letter from his pocket and turned around, still keeping his eyes safely diverted. As he held it out both Dung and Tonks took hold but when a forth hand joined theirs Harry couldn't help but smirk when he looked up to see Snape standing there. He was pretty sure the man had spent the vast majority of his time upstairs shouting to the walls that was not going, if only to prove Harry wrong. But in the end his curiosity got the better of him just like the boy said it would.
MMM
Their sudden appearance in the lobby caused quite a stir considering the details of their pardon had only just been released that morning and since all of the ridiculous articles from the year before many people had canceled their subscriptions to the Daily Prophet. More than a handful of people had even drawn their wands but thought better of it when eight goblin soldiers formed up around them and escorted them towards a guarded door off to the side of the lobby. They were led down a seemingly endless corridor that was lined with numerous doors to what Harry assumed was various offices and storerooms but he couldn't be sure since he couldn't read the language written above each door. Occasionally they passed various goblins that were moving about on some business of theirs but they didn't seem to pay them any attention which was perfectly fine with Harry at this point. He just wanted to get this over with.
Finally they were led through an open door into a finely furnished sitting room. There were many arm chairs and couches scattered throughout the room, each upholstered in the finest royal blue velvet that contrasted nicely with the highly polished hard wood floors and mahogany paneled walls. Harry sighed deeply in annoyance when he realized that they were not the first to arrive. In fact it seemed that they were probably the last. He noticed Dumbledore right away but with him was Professor McGonagall and many of the Weasleys who Harry was glad to see. Unfortunately Ron was present as well as Hermione. Taking a quick look around he was greatly relieved that his 'parents' had not had the bad taste to show their faces at this meeting. With that in mind he walked over to the far side of the room where he noticed Remus sitting off by himself. To be quite honest the man looked like hell and Harry had no doubt about what caused it.
"Remus." He said quietly as he sank into the chair opposite of his former professor and friend. The man gave no indication that he had even heard him for several minutes before he raised his head up to look at him. Harry almost screamed in fury when he saw the haunted and hopeless look in the man's eyes. He wanted nothing more at that very moment then to hunt his parents down and experiment with some very nasty curses for causing the kind werewolf so much pain. Granted, Harry still felt a great deal of pain and a supreme sense of betrayal himself but he would much rather try to help someone he cared about than deal with his own emotional distress.
"How could they do it, Harry? We were their best friends, you were their son, how could they simply abandon us like that?" He asked in quiet voice that was devoid of any emotion.
"Because they were selfish and ignorant!" Harry said bluntly in an unforgiving tone. "They never thought about the consequences of their actions and as a result Susan's parents were killed and Sirius went to prison. I spent ten years in hell and you were left alone, blaming yourself, always questioning yourself on how you should have known that something was wrong. Don't look at me like that Remus, I may not have spent all that much time around you when compared to others but I can still read you like a book. I should know better than most what a person looks like when they're wallowing in self pity." He continued when the older man looked ready to protest the way Harry described him.
"You know, for the longest time I had always believed that you were a great deal like James with a little bit of Lily's personality added in for good measure. But over the last few months I think I have to revise my assessment." Remus said with a sad smile.
"Well I'm glad someone finally sees that. Ever since I started at Hogwarts I have had people telling me that I'm exactly like HIM. Other than Snape everyone said it like it was something to be proud of. What they based their comparisons on I'll never know since I've never played a prank in my life much less deliberately humiliated someone."
"Harry, despite what has happened in the last week, you can't really judge either James' or Sirius' character on one single memory from Snape's childhood."
"Don't try to bullshit me Remus," Harry responded immediately with a raised eyebrow. "I was the target of bullies for the vast majority of my life so I have an intimate knowledge of how they work. If they target one person to publicly humiliate for their own amusement then you can guarantee that there are others as well. Much like Draco Malfoy actually, well until he failed his flying lesson anyway." Harry finished in an offhand manner. It was clear that Remus wanted to deny Harry's words but he found that he honestly couldn't. He thought about for a brief moment until he final statement registered in his head.
"What do mean, he failed his flying lesson?" He asked in confusion. Harry looked surprised for a moment before he realized that Remus probably hadn't heard about what had happened. He quickly retold the story while they waited for the meeting to begin. Remus was both shock and proud that they had found a way around the wards but quickly grew annoyed at Dumbledore's apparent lack in faith and trust in Harry.
"So that's why Lucius looked more disdainful than usual." He mused out loud catching Harry's complete attention.
"Excuse me?" He asked in confusion.
MMM
Dumbledore was currently standing on the other side of the room speaking quietly with Snape and McGonagall when a very angry Harry Potter stormed over to them. Throughout the entire conversation they had danced around the issue of Malfoy's death and if he heard one more apology Snape was going to curse the old man. It was this reason that he was glad for a distraction, even if it was from Potter.
"The Malfoys are here?" Harry spat out as he glared at his 'former' Headmaster. Both Dumbledore and McGonagall were surprised at the sheer hatred and venom in his voice but Snape quickly grew visibly angry himself. Albus was caught off guard for a moment by both the question and his tone before regaining his composure.
"Yes, they are. Since Mrs. Malfoy is Sirius' cousin she has the legal right to be here." He answered in a calm voice but it was clear that he didn't not like the situation much either. Harry stood there for several minutes with the conclusion that the Magical world had in fact gone mad. The very idea that wanted criminals were free to conduct their affairs as normal was absolutely ridiculous. Granted, he could understand the goblins stance on remaining neutral in such conflicts as opposed to picking a side and refusing any of their opposition access to their gold. But the Ministry has always had to pick a side and yet they ignore the danger of powerful enemies gaining more financial support through the final wishes of a friend or relative.
The solution is quite simple, pass legislation that prohibits wanted criminals from collecting any inheritance or profiting from any 'legitimate' business arrangements. Its quite obvious really but the Magical world is so ass backwards that it probably hasn't even occurred to them that a government was actually supposed to govern, hence the term 'government'. Harry was pulled out of these thoughts when he heard Snape loudly demand to know where the Malfoys had gone.
"They were taken directly to the conference room immediately after we arrived. They obviously didn't want to run the risk of violence breaking out." Dumbledore answered. It wasn't until Snape nodded curtly and turned around that Albus realized what was going on and what his young colleague planed to do. He made to call out after him in an attempt to calm him down but someone else beat him to it.
"SEVERUS, STOP!" Harry shouted in a loud and forceful voice. Everyone, Snape included, turned to look at Harry in shock for addressing the man with his given name, which he only permitted a few to do. "I know perfectly well how you feel." He began again in a calmer tone. "Malfoy's time will come soon enough but this is not it. While they are here they are under the protection of the goblins and we can't afford to make another powerful enemy by settling a score within these walls." He said while looking the man directly in the eye without blinking. The only thing that surprised those gathered in that room more than what Harry had said was the fact that after a few moments of internal struggle Snape actually diverted his gaze and nodded in agreement before he went to sit in front of fireplace and just stared into the flames. McGonagall joined him a few moments later but for the most part they just sat in silence.
Just after Snape had left Harry turned around only to be met with a tight fierce hug from Mrs. Weasley who had been waiting for Harry to have a free moment. When he first walked in the door with Snape, Tonks, and Dung she took several steps forward, intending two intercept him as soon as possible, but when she saw his eyes land on Remus she decided to wait. She didn't know why but for the last week Remus had been in a horrible mood. Irritability, loss of appetite and bouts of severe depression was the short list of what has been plaguing him. She dearly hoped that Harry could talk some sense into him before he went out and did something foolish.
Like everyone else both her and her husband were greatly shocked at not only Harry's tone of voice towards the Headmaster but also how he effectively dealt with Snape. Shaking her head to rid herself of such thoughts she finally decided that she had waited long enough and headed over to greet Harry. Arthur, Fred and George were right behind her but Ron and Hermione wisely stayed back, both doing their level best not to be seen.
"How are you Harry dear? Have you been eating well?" Mrs. Weasley asked in a motherly voice as she released him and stepped back to get a good look. Despite the reason for being at Gringotts or the knowledge that Lucius Malfoy was nearby Harry couldn't keep a smile off his face which was a good thing considering she looked like she was ready to burst into tears as she got a look at his scarred face up close for the first time.
"I'm perfectly fine Mrs. Weasley and yes I have been eating well. A house elf named Twinkle pretty much demands that eat at least two helpings at every meal. It would seem even elves think I'm a bit scrawny." Harry replied in an attempt to lighten the Weasley matriarch's mood. Unfortunately it didn't work. With a loud sob she threw her arms around Harry and cried as she apologized for what everyone else had done and believed about him. After recovering from the initial collision Harry awkwardly patted her on the back in the hopes that it would calm her down despite the fact that he could hardly breathe while in her grasp. Mr. Weasley was able to pry his wife off of him and led her over to a comfortable chair where she could pull herself together. After catching his breath once again Harry looked up to see the twins grinning at him.
'Oh no.' He thought to himself with pity when he saw the looks in their eyes. 'What the hell do they have on their minds?' He asked as he racked his brain trying to think of anything that they could possibly use against him.
"So Harry…" Fred started with an exaggerated smile.
"We were just talking…"
"To Old Dung ov…" They got no further before Harry's hand shot up with his Basilisk fang wand clutched in his fingers. Fred's eyes crossed as he stared at the tip of Harry's wand that was pointed directly between his eyes before he looked into Harry's face.
"Speak of that to anyone, anyone at all and not even your parents will recognize your bodies! Do I make myself clear?" The twin's eyes went wide as they nodded so quickly that Harry was surprised that they didn't break their necks. "Excellent! It's great to see you two again." He continued with a broad smile before giving the two a quick hug before making a beeline towards the old thief.
"That kid has taken one too many shots to the head." George muttered to himself while he thought about every word Harry had said.
"The first bit of information we get about him in months that would make a good joke and now we can't even tell people about it." Fred whined.
"Well, he never said that we couldn't write it down." George reassured him with a grin. "Besides, whatever Harry can do to us will be worth it, pranking Ron is starting to get very boring."
"That's true. But just to be safe lets wait until Harry goes back to wherever it is he goes."
MMM
"DUNG!" Harry hiss quietly as he approached the man who was standing alone in the corner smoking his pipe. Raising his eyes to see who had spoken he seemed to go slightly pale and began coughing as he dropped his pipe. Thinking that the goblins wouldn't appreciate a burned carpet, Harry picked the smoking pipe off the floor and pushed it back into its owner's hands. "From now on keep your mouth shut when it comes to my private life." He snapped. Dung didn't have time to respond since at that very moment Griphook and a goblin Harry didn't recognize came in to escort them to the meeting. Harry walked with Griphook and the other goblin, Dankit who was the manager of the Black accounts, ahead of the others. For the few minutes that it took to reach the meeting room that the reading would be held in Griphook and Dankit gave him a brief rundown on what the various accounts had been doing and what a merger between the two accounts could mean. Harry didn't understand a damn word they had said but he got the feeling that while the Black family wasn't as prosperous as the Potter family they were still very wealthy. Thankfully the all the financial mumbo jumbo stopped when they reached a set of double doors at the end of the corridor. Harry wanted nothing more than to go in and get this whole thing over with but Griphook held him back as he waved the others in. For a brief moment he heard Snape growl as he walked in the door, presumable from seeing Malfoy, but thankfully no further sounds of anger were heard.
"Mr. Potter, I held you back because of your unique position gives you very little time for the formalities of official meetings regarding your investments." Griphook began but Harry waved him off.
"I don't really know much about finances and I'm not really interested in them. My time has to be spent making Voldemort's life hell, not making money." Harry explained thinking that the goblin brought it up in hopes of getting him to make more investments which would bring Griphook more commissions.
"That is precisely why I bring this up." When Harry looked on in confusion Griphook continued. "Humans are different from Goblins in many more ways than just appearances Mr. Potter. While a goblin needs no motivation to fight and their resolve and moral never waver the same cannot be said for humans. If they know nothing but misery and loss they will surely fail."
"What's your point?"
"One of your recent investments is doing quite well, but with enough backing it could be doing much better in terms of branching out to other locations as well as research and development." He explained as he handed Harry a file. 'Weasley Wizard Wheezes'
"What does Fred and George's shop have to do with Voldemort?" Harry asked as he looked at his account manager as if he were crazy. Griphook rolled his eyes and shook his head slightly.
"Mr. Potter, that has been your most productive investment this quarter, even outselling Zonko's by thirty two percent. The humans in this community want something to take their minds of the present conflict, and Weasley Wizard Wheezes has the most 'distracting' merchandise. The fact that the majority of their customers happens to be adults clearly shows the reason for these profits." Even with his limited knowledge on how such things work Harry could still clearly see what Griphook was talking about.
"What would you suggest?"
"My advice is to buy out the Weasleys and expand while keeping them on as for research for a percentage." Harry thought about it for a minute and came to the conclusion that the twins would never sell their shares of the business not even to him nor would he want to buy them out. That store was their baby. On the other hand Griphook did have a point.
"That store is called Weasley Wizard Wheezes for a reason, it's theirs not mine. However I would like to transfer one hundred thousand galleons into their vault on the condition that every knut is used for expansion and development." Griphook looked at him as if he had two heads or something before making some notations in his file. Obviously he wasn't used to someone simply giving away that much money when it would increase revenue enough to cover the losses. After he finished Griphook closed his folder and led Harry into the room.
Without even taking in his surroundings Harry immediately sought out Lucius Malfoy. He and his wife were sitting on one side of a rather long polished black table. They were sitting in the middle of the table and were glaring at everyone else who chose to sit opposite them. They were of course looking as self absorbed as usual however Lucius looked particularly cold. Harry was a bit confused by Narcissa's behavior. She gave no outward sign that she even cared that her only son was kill not even twelve hours ago. Taking a step into the room Lucius finally noticed him and shot him a look filled with more hatred than even Voldemort could muster, Harry only grinned in response. Looking for a spot to sit down he was happy to see that the chair directly across from the Malfoys was open, unfortunately it was in between Tonks and Snape. Seeing no alternative he took a seat and kept his eyes on Lucius and tried not to think about Tonks.
"Draco couldn't come?" Harry asked with a cheeky grin. Lucius simply glared and everyone could tell it was taking all his self restraint not to attack the boy in front of him.
"Now that we are all here we can begin. I am Bullgluk, one of the managers here at Gringotts as well as a legal advisor for Mr. Black. To my right is Dankit, manager of the Black family accounts. To my left is Griphook, manager of the Potter family accounts." Harry nodded briefly to Bullgluk in greeting which he returned as the old goblin sorted through various parchments. After getting everything in order Bullgluk stood up. "The Will itself is merely a description of how Mr. Black wished his estate to be divided. However he has left instruction for several letters to be handed out afterwards."
"I Sirius Black do declare this to be my last Will and Testament yadda yadda yadda and all that stuff." Harry snorted at hearing that and Remus and the twins chuckled while nearly everyone else looked at Bullgluk with an offended expression. "That's what it says." The goblin said with a shake of his head while tapping the parchment with his glasses. Harry let out a short burst of laughter but quickly got that under control.
"I names my godson Harry Potter as my sole heir and primary beneficiary…"
"I object this." Narcissa shouted as she stood up and glared at Harry. "The boy is not a Black, he cannot inherit the Black estate as long as another Black is still alive." She declared angrily.
"Really, as I understand it the wizarding world is still so ass backwards that a woman cannot hold the position as head of the family, nor can she have direct control over family accounts. So who did you have in mind?" Harry asked with a slight smile. Everyone, even Snape looked at him in surprise for a moment. They obviously didn't think that he would know details such as that.
"My son Draco is the perfect candidate to head the Black family." She said hatefully as she continued to stare at him. Harry's eyes went wide for a moment before he started laughing uncontrollably.
"You didn't tell her Lucius?" He continued to laugh. Lucius obviously didn't think that his wife would push for Draco to gain Harry's inheritance and it was just as obvious that he hadn't told his wife about their son's recent demise. Normal a parent losing a child is not something to laugh at but a child like Draco and parents like Lucius and Narcissa are an exception.
"Well I'm sorry to disappoint you Mrs. Malfoy but Draco met with an unfortunate accident last night so he will not be joining us for the rest of his life." For a moment it sounded as if all the air in the room was suddenly sucked out. Looking down the table it was obvious that Mrs. Malfoy wasn't the only one kept in the dark. In fact the only ones that didn't look surprised were the ones that were there or the ones that Harry told, Dung and Remus. Though he knew Bill still made a show of being shocked since he was supposed to be in Egypt.
Narcissa looked at her husband and the look on her face as he glared across the table told her all she needed to know. With a strangled cry she jumped up and leveled her wand at Harry but he was already on his feet and in no time the woman's wand was flying across the room and Harry's wand was now pointed at Lucius who was halfway to his feet but froze hunched over as he looked up into Harry's eyes. That look told him all he needed to know. While he knew the circumstances behind his son's death he now knew that Potter felt no remorse and he would have no problem doing the same to him. In that brief moment their eyes met the boy reminded him more of the Dark Lord than he cared to imagine.
"MY SISTER WILL TEAR YOU APART!" Narcissa screamed in rage as she grasped her hand that previously held her wand.
"Bellatrix and I will meet soon enough, sooner than she would like I would expect." Harry replied coldly with a sardonic smile. He twitched his wand just slightly but Lucius got the message. Straightening up he helped his wife to her feet and the two quickly moved to the door.
"This isn't over Potter, the Dark Lord will force you to watch all those you care about die before he finally finishes you." Lucius sneered at him from the door. Harry raised an eyebrow before stepping back from the table and approached the man.
"That pathetic wizard you crawl on your knees for is going to die, I'm going to be the one to kill him. And when I'm done, I'm going to eat his heart." Harry told him in a cold voice devoid of any emotion before patting him on one cheek before turning his back on him as if he were nothing and returning to the table. He wanted nothing more than to blast the man into oblivion but he could not violate the goblins rules regarding the protection of their customers. However a shrewd idea popped into his head, insane but shrewd nonetheless, and a plan was slowly forming. The Malfoys left with nothing more said but after Harry retook his seat he looked around in confusion for a moment since everyone still seemed unwilling or unable to say anything.
"What?"
"Harry, you still have the whole cold, evil, sinister man thing going on." Tonks informed him as she leaned over slightly. He suddenly realized that most of these people had never seen him like that before so it must have been a bit of a shock. Within seconds that same kind and passionate look returned to his vibrant green eyes and his cold smirk was replaced with a grimace as he massaged the muscles in his jaw.
"That was all an act?" Moody asked in surprise.
"That was good wasn't it? being stuck in a house with Snape for nearly a month will teach you the value of the right facial expression for the right occasion." Harry relied after his tightened muscles had been relieved.
"I'm usually very good at reading people Potter but last night and just now even I thought you were perfectly serious." Moody complimented.
"That's probably because both times I was 'perfectly serious'. Everything I said was the truth, well not the whole eating Voldemort's heart thing, that was just for show, I'm not really into cannibalism. If you're going to threaten someone you should certainly do it in a fashion that will make the person believe every word." He explained, finishing in a tone as if he were lecturing a class on the proper techniques for issuing life threatening violence. When Mrs. Weasley demanded to know where and why Draco was killed Harry simply told them all to ask Dumbledore later. She didn't like the answer but held her tongue so that they could finish their current meeting.
"Oh, yes, where were we. Lets see, ah yes." He said before he got to the first and quickly mumbled everything he had already read. "Harry Potter as my sole heir and primary beneficiary. All holding and properties, unless otherwise specified, will be transferred into his name. It is my wish that though this money and property is now his to do with as he pleases, it remain separate from the Potter family fortune in the hopes that at some later date a member of the Black family will be worthy of the title goes with it. Harry incase you didn't understand that, I want you and whatever family you may have in the future to oversee my families businesses and such until a Black that isn't a complete git comes along, whether it's tomorrow or five hundred years from now. I also leave you my motorbike and hope you have as much fun with it as I did. Molly probably would have killed me if I had given it to you while I was alive but she can't touch me now so no worries.
Ask Bullgluk for your letter later, he tends to get forgetful at times so you may have to poke him in the gut a few times to get his mind working. If he actually read that last bit I must congratulate myself a little since I have been trying to donate him some of my sense of humor for years now. Now Harry, this really important so I want you to listen very carefully. Try to forget about your troubles for at least a little while and have some fun. Take at least one night to completely degrade yourself. Get drunk and try to act your age for once instead of an old man and for Merlin's sakes get laid." Harry's eyes went wide at those words as his face went bright red. Beside him Tonks look to be in much the same condition while Dung, the twins, Bill and even Snape howled with laughter. Though he had not been told of what had happened Remus started laughing himself as he quickly figured it out after looking between the two as their complexion quickly resembled that of a blood blister. Harry and Tonks kept their heads down but they could both feel the confused and shocked gazes that were being directed towards them. Seeing the uncomfortable situation the two were in Bullgluk quickly proceeded and luck would have it that it was something that drew everyone's attention elsewhere for the time being at least.
Normally I probably would have saved this for last but I feel if I don't get it over with I'll never do it. To Severus Snape, I leave the pride of my grandfather's collection, Dark Potions for a Dark World." Snape let out a strangled cough when he heard this and Dumbledore was unfortunate enough to be sucking on a lemon drop at the time and nearly choked. After everyone began calming down Harry thought about it for a moment.
"Didn't we already steal that book?" Harry whispered to Tonks who giggled lightly for a moment before nodding in confirmation though she did not look at him. Despite the fact that though they already had the book in their possession, the fact that Sirius had wanted him to have such a valuable, not to mention illegal, book shocked and confused Snape a great deal. After all any serious collector of potion manuscripts would kill for the opportunity to just gaze upon the cover.
"I leave you this book as a peace offering of sorts. We both know that we are to set in our ways to ever actively try to end the hatred between us so in death I hope to do what I could not do in life." Everything was silent for several minutes as everyone thought about what had just been said. It was no surprise to see many tear streaked faces at the table but they had to keep going.
To my bestest buddy Remi I leave five hundred thousand galleons and ask him to look after Harry a bit. I don't know if any of you noticed but the boy has a tendency to attract an awful lot of trouble on a fairly routine basis. There is also a trunk in the attic of my family's home that has a lot of our junk left over from school, I only ask that you share the treasures inside with Harry and those Weasley twins. And you have a letter as well.
To my dear second cousin Nymphadora, finally I can use the name without getting hexed, since you are one of the only relatives I have that I can stand, Andromeda is nice enough but she wouldn't know a good joke if it was sitting on her face. Anyway, I leave you ten million galleons and the family villa in southern France. I doubt your mother will be able to attend this reading so inform her that she also gets a million galleons under the condition that she purchases a sense of humor.
Let's see, who's next, ah Albus. I leave you the current headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix…"
"Damn, I was going to burn that house to the ground." Harry muttered to himself but everyone at the table managed to hear him.
"After Harry kills old snake face I want the house and everything in it destroyed…" Harry immediately perked up and made a happy sound as he quietly clapped his hands together. Snape looked at him in annoyance before he shook his head in self pity. Tonks snorted slightly and was trying to hide her smile despite the fact that she was a bit uncomfortable with Harry beside her. Remus, Fred and George didn't bother to hide their amusement and everyone else looked at Harry in disapproval.
"Mundungus, you have always taken an interest in many of the Black family heirlooms lying about that filthy house so they are all yours."
"Already stole them Sirius but thanks all the same." Dung replied. Harry smiled as he remembered Bill telling him that Dung was still collecting a few 'odds and ends' when they raided Order headquarters. Most of the Order members looked at those Raiders present with stern looks but they didn't seem to care much. Over the next half hour Bullgluk continued to read off Sirius' wishes. To McGonagall he had left a book that detailed the pranks and punishments that came during his sixth year where he set school records for most points lost and most time in detention. Both records still stand. He felt that it was only right that she get this book considering she took the vast majority of those points from him and assigned most of the detentions.
The Weasleys were each left two thousand galleons as a thank you for watching over Harry as best they could when he had no one to turn to. The twins were also left another book. The Marauder's Guide to Mischief. A copy would also be given to both Harry and Remus. Hermione was also left two thousand galleons as well as a fair piece of the Black family Library. Obviously he thought Moody was growing increasingly paranoid in his old age since he left him a trunk full of advanced dark detectors and other such devices. Thankfully the reading was soon over and Bullgluk hand both Harry and Remus an envelope that was presumably the letters that had been mentioned in the will.
"Lord Black." Harry vaguely heard Bullgluk call but he didn't bother to look up to see who he was talking to. His attention was solely on the envelope in his hands and what could be written inside. Suddenly he felt a sharp pain as Tonks elbowed him in the ribs to get his attention. When he looked at her she pointed to the front of the room where everyone was looking at him expectantly.
"Lord Black, there are a few documents you must sign to legally take possession of your inheritance."
"Lord Black?" Harry asked, looking as confused as ever.
"Yes, since the Black and Potter family assets are to remain separate from each other the titles that come with being the head of the Families must remain separate as well. When conducting business in the interests of the Black family accounts you are to use the title of Lord Black." Bullgluk explained in an amused manner. Harry quickly decided that an amused goblin was actually kind of scary.
"Great, I've got almost as many titles as Dumbledore and I'm only a tenth his age." He muttered darkly to himself as he took the papers that were passed down to him. Without bothering to read them over, he quickly signed them before standing up and making his way to the door. "Sorry I don't stick around to chat but…" He explained weakly as he held up the envelope that Sirius had left him. Not only did he want to read the letter immediately but he also didn't want to be anywhere most of these people when they inevitably begin asking questions concerning their reactions when Bullgluk read the comment concerning 'getting laid.'
Not giving anyone a chance to object to his hasty departure, he quickly walked through the door and activated his portkey to take him home, it would probably not be a very good idea to let the goblins know that he could portkey in and out of their bank at will. With a thump he landed on his backside in the middle of the entrance hall. Not wanting to speak to anyone at the moment he pulled himself to his feet he quietly made it to the stairs without being noticed by those in the sitting room. As he climbed the stairs he began putting more details together on the plan he began thinking about after his confrontation with Lucius. Luckily he was able to get to his room without incident and he quickly noticed that the house elves had cleaned it up and repaired any damage from last night's 'activities'.
Sitting on the end of his bed he quickly tore open the envelope but was deeply puzzled when he unfolded the parchment only to find that it was completely blank. With his brow drawn tight in confusion he began to get really angry at the apparent joke before a sudden thought came to him. Taking out his wand he tapped the parchment.
"I solemnly swear I am up to no good." Almost immediately a spidery script began to form across the page.
'Hello Harry! Would you care to tell your dear friend Padfoot how I died?'
"Holy shit!" Harry shouted as he nearly dropped the parchment.
TBC
I'm not really happy with the way the Will reading turned out but that was the best I could come up with. The next chapter will explain the parchment and as well as go into detail of what Harry has planned for Lucius as well as Voldemort. There will only be about three more chapters in this story that will take it to the end of the summer. The sequel will obviously pick up from there and go through to the beginning of next summer. Whether or not Harry will return to Hogwarts for his sixth year I haven't decided yet.
If you have any questions concerning this chapter or the story in general send me an e-mail and I'll try to get back to you as soon as possible.