A Doggy for Christmas - Advent's Calendar Story 2022
by Teddylonglong

All recognizable characters belong to J. K. Rowling, and I am not earning anything by writing this story.
I am not a native speaker of English. Please excuse my mistakes.

Right after breakfast the following morning, Remus stepped out of the fireplace. Harry smiled, noticing in relief that Whisper waggled her tail. 'Thank Merlin, she likes him. I really want to spend much time with him and ask many things about my parents,' he thought, feeling very happy at the prospect.

"Harry, let's travel to Diagon Alley through the fireplace. Have you taken the Floo before?" Remus asked in a gentle voice.

"No, sir." Harry eyed the fireplace with anxiousness.

Mrs. Weasley immediately began to explain how to use the fireplace; however, Remus simply extended his hands to Harry and Whisper. "Let's step into the fireplace together. Hold on to my hand and do not let go."

"Yes sir," Harry replied, while Whisper let out a comforting, =Woof.=

"Was that an expression of consent?" Remus asked, playfully caressing the canine's ears. "You'd have got along well with Sirius," he muttered, seemingly more to himself than to the others. "He's a dog Animagus."

While Whisker obediently put her right front paw into Remus' hand, Harry picked up the canine. 'It might be safer for her if I took her into my arms,' he thought, as he stepped into the fireplace together with the older wizard.

"Leaky Cauldron," Remus said, clearly, and in a green whoosh, they were gone from the Burrow.

HP

Recalling what had happened, when Hagrid had accompanied him through the Leaky Cauldron, Harry felt relieved noticing that the pub was still almost deserted just like the shopping street itself. 'Thank Merlin we came this early in the morning,' he thought, before he whispered an explanation to Whisker about Diagon Alley. To his amusement, the canine eagerly sniffed here and there with apparent contentedness.

"You're lucky to have such a cute familiar, Harry." Remus smiled at Whisper. "How did you get her?"

Harry smiled. "I got her for Christmas. She was among my other presents, lying in her basket. I don't know who gave her to me though. Perhaps Dumbledore, although Whisper doesn't seem to like him very much."

Remus looked pensive, however, simply nodded in understanding. By now, they had reached Gringotts, and Harry turned to his familiar. "The goblins are very frightening, so you must behave really well and stay close to me."

Whisper licked his hand in obvious reassurance, before she obediently walked at Harry's side, when they entered the bank.

To Harry's relief, Remus immediately addressed the first teller. "Buckbean summoned Harry Potter for a meeting, and I am Remus Lupin. Buckbean mentioned that I was welcome to accompany him."

One of the goblins ushered them into a small room and motioned them to wait, but before Harry could even take in his surroundings, Buckbean arrived and invited them to his office.

"Thank you for coming to see me so soon, Mr. Potter and Mr. Lupin."

"May your gold always flow," Remus replied swiftly, lightly bowing to the goblin.

"Thank you for the invitation, sir, and please call me Harry." Harry noticed that Whisper closely sniffed the goblin; however, she seemed contented, as she followed Harry into a makeshift office.

A large oak desk was surrounded by comfortable looking black leather chairs, and apart from a huge plant in front of the window, the only decoration was an enormous sword on the opposite wall. Somehow, it was very simple yet at the same time impressive. He swiftly took the seat next to Remus, feeling relieved, when Whisper lay down on his feet as usual.

By an invisible hand, a folder appeared on the desk, and Buckbean opened it swiftly. "Mr. Potter, until recently, we have not been able to send you an owl, probably due to the wards around your relatives' home, which is why I summoned you at this time. We must clarify three points."

Harry stared at the goblin in surprise. "The first point is about your parents' will," Buckbean continued, "the second concerns your account balance and the third the situation of your godfather."

"I have a godfather?" Harry blurted out in shock.

Buckbean let out a deep sigh, closely followed by Remus'. "Harry, Sirius is your godfather, but he was the one who gave away your parents and caused them to be killed."

"That is not true." Buckbean's voice was firm. "However, first of all, I wish to read the will of Lily and James Potter to the two of you."

"Yes please." Harry stared at the goblin in surprise and eagerly listened, when Buckbean began to read in a clear voice.

"This is the will of Lily and James Potter. I, Lily Potter, am a seer and know that we are going to die soon. However, I have taken precautions, and I hope that our baby Harry will survived. If you are reading this, it means that we are dead. If we died by the hands of Voldemort, please note that Peter Pettigrew was our Secret Keeper.
Should we both be dead, Sirius as his godfather shall receive the guardianship over Harry. If he is incapacitated for some reason, his godmother Alice shall step in. If she is not able to fulfil this role either, one of his honorary godparents, namely Remus Lupin, Severus Snape or Minerva McGonagall, shall become his guardian. Harry shall never be sent to my sister Petunia; neither shall the greatest manipulator of all times, Albus Dumbledore, become his guardian.
All our belongings shall go to Harry, except for a monthly stipend of 1000 Galleons, which shall be transferred to Remus Lupin to help with his furry problem.
Harry, please know that we love you more than anything else, and if you ever find yourself in trouble, please turn to either Buckbean of the goblins or Unspeakables Croaker or Ra. Each of them will gladly help you. Have a wonderful life, my precious son."

He closed the folder and looked at them in clear expectation.

"What happened? Why was this will never executed?" Remus seemed agitated.

"Because Albus Dumbledore appointed himself Harry's guardian and had the will sealed first thing in the morning after the Potters' death."

"Excuse me, sir, but what is different now?" Harry stared at the goblin in disbelief.

Buckbean sighed. "You have to thank the Unspeakables for that. They told me that Dumbledore is not your rightful guardian. Head Unspeakable Croaker took some counter measures and made me your temporary guardian stating that you should hear all the details and then decide on your new guardian yourself, considering that you're not a baby anymore."

Harry smiled. "Thank you, Buckbean, for becoming my temporary guardian. I appreciate it very much, and I also appreciate hearing my parents' will. Remus, did you receive this monthly stipend?" 'Probably not, considering the worn-out robes he is wearing,' he thought, wearily.

Remus lightly shook his head.

"No, Harry, he did not, as the will was never executed. This will be remedied as of today though," the goblin promised, as he opened the folder again. He took out a couple of parchments and pushed them over for Harry and Remus to see. "Dumbledore helped himself to a small sum each month and also sent money to the Dursleys for keeping you and to the Weasleys for friending you once you'd arrive in the magical world."

"What?" Harry stared at the parchment in front of them, following Remus' finger that pointed out the respective lines. "How dare he?"

Buckbean let out a deep sigh. "Exactly. How dare he. I am sorry, Harry, but we could not reach you. Every single owl we sent to you returned to us with the letter still attached. You cannot imagine how relieved I was upon receiving the information that my last owl returned without my letter."

"That old coot." Remus' voice was laced with anger, which Harry could understand all too well. He smiled, when Whisper rose from her seat and gently nudged Remus' hand.

tbc tomorrow...

Thank you so much for your kind reviews. I appreciate them very much!