Revelations and Wills
A/N- Hello everyone! Welcome back to another chapter of 'Just One More Year'. My exams are starting from tomorrow! Thanks for the lovely reviews.
Harry and Snape followed Goldaxe through a-what seemed like- ritual room.
"Right, now the more potions or spells you have in your body, the more it is going to pain." Goldaxe said in a monotone voice.
"I can deal with pain. Just tell me what to do." Harry said.
Snape was surprised. How did that boy know that he could deal with pain? Okay, he had taken one of Voldemort's crucios but still…How does he know? Did Black teach Potter how to become immune to physical pain? No. He couldn't have. He would never ever think of hurting his precious godson deliberately. So, how? In Hogwarts, the Basilisk (yes, Harry had told Snape and Sirius about his school years) had bitten him…so that was a possibility. But, that pain went away pretty fast and Severus knew that Harry was talking from experience. A painful bite from a basilisk which was healed in half-a-minute wouldn't have left the imprint of pain. So, it must be something else. But, what?
Goldaxe revealed all his teeth making him look even more terrifying. Then Snape realized that it must be a smile.
"I like you. You just need to wait for-" Goldaxe managed before being cut-off.
Just then, another goblin- this time a female entered and said- "Me!"
Goldaxe blew an exasperated breath but kept quiet.
"Right. Hello to both of you. I am Goblin Healer Springwind and I am in charge to remove all foreign magic from both of your bodies. As I see it, Mr. Snape- please follow me and Mr. Potter-Black please go to the restroom and stay there until you are called." The female goblin- Springwind said in a cheery tone.
Harry blinked twice as the words registered in his brain.
Severus stepped forward.
"Hello, Mr. Snape. If you would come with me." Springwind said already moving towards one of the many rooms.
Goldaxe showed Harry to the restroom.
As Goldaxe left, Harry sighed and started meditating, trying to get his thoughts together.
Half an hour later...
Harry opened his eyes just as Snape stepped into the room. Harry couldn't conceal his gasp.
Severus Snape was standing in the doorway. But, he looked different. His lanky and greasy hair had been replaced by silky black hair. He no longer had sallow, unhealthily pale skin and his nose had lost it's obvious hook. All in all, he was looking quite good.
Snape groaned and sat down.
"I am going to kill Dumbledore, very painfully." Snape said.
"Well…that's a thought I whole-heartedly agree with." Harry muttered.
"What were you doing? I have been gone for half-an-hour and you are very restless." Snape asked curiously.
"I was meditating…trying to get my thoughts together." Harry said.
Before Snape could say anything, Springwind's voice shouted- "Hadrian James Potter-Black!"
Harry stood up.
"It hurts very much." Snape warned. He had felt it first-hand. It was a pain he had never experienced. He thought he would go mad if it continued. It was even worse than Voldemort's Cruciatus.
"Thanks for that vote of confidence," Harry said dryly. "Don't worry, I have dealt with extreme pain. I will be okay."
Harry walked out as Snape was left to ponder with Harry's parting words. He had said it with so much confidence that it had shocked Snape- a thing which he considered to be impossible. He thought about Harry being abused but then frowned at the thought. Surely Dumbledore won't let his precious weapon be abused? He snorted. What the hell was he thinking? Of course, Dumbledore would let his weapon go to an abused household if it benefited him. Dumbledore had-indirectly- killed thousands of innocents who had nothing to do with the war.
Half an hour later…
Harry staggered into the room, massaging his forehead. This time, Severus couldn't conceal the gasp. If he had a makeover, Harry's was definitely the biggest one. The scrawny, bespectacled boy was gone. He was replaced by a lithe boy with snowy skin, blood-red lips, shoulder-length raven black hair which looked stylishly ruffled. His features were sharp, showing his noble birth. His eyes were breath-taking. They were Avada-Kedavra green. He looked gorgeous.
"H-how do you feel?" Snape did not stutter.
Harry groaned as he flopped down a chair and said- "as if I were bitten by a basilisk, continiously and then shoved into a vat of acid."
Snape blinked twice.
"Wait. What?" he asked. Internally he was thinking- It's bad!
Harry opened his eyes and Snape saw that it was slightly hazy with pain.
"Didn't you catch that?" he broke off, cursing.
"Shit. Fuck you Dumbledore! I can't believe he did this! Actually…scratch that, I can. Lords! I need to save her! Urgh! Where is Dumbledore?! I don't need a wand, I will kill him with my bare hands!" he exclaimed.
Severus watched the tirade with wide eyes.
"Calm down, Mr. Potter. And tell me who do you want to save?" Severus demanded as he forced a Calming Draught through Harry's lips.
Harry took a deep breath and said- "okay, it may sound utterly insane to you but Hermione is one of my true friends."
Snape looked at Harry as if he had lost his mind.
"Mr. Potter, Harry. We both saw that she was also there- discussing things about you. How can you say that she is one of your true friends?" Snape asked exasperatedly.
"It's not like that! We-that is to say, me and Hermione-found out in our Fourth Year that Weasley was actually betraying us by saying everything to Dumledore. So, we spied on one of their meetings and, when we found out that what they would do with both of us in the future, our loyalties to Dumbledore were completely destroyed. Since Voldemort hadn't returned- and there was the fact that he killed my parents- me and Hermione started practicing the Dark Arts in the Room of Requirement. We also made quite a few detours to Gringotts where we found out that Hermione's father was actually the squib son of Marlene McKinnon. But…when we went back to the castle, we were obliviated. We continued like this. Whenever we found bits of information which would take a serious blow to Dumbledore's reputation, we would hide them in the Chamber of Secrets. Luna-my little sister-in-all-but-blood, a relationship Dumbledore ruined by obliviating me-was the one who actually suggested keeping them in the Chamber of Secrets since Dumbledore can't get in there. I was actually going to talk to Voldemort- and he was very interested in listening- but, somehow I felt deep resentment for Voldemort, and the way he looked at me- I would say he felt that too. He called his minions and you know the rest. Summer before the fifth year, I knew something was very, very wrong. For one, she didn't send me any letters and second- when I called on her number, her mother said that she had gone to a friend's place. You can imagine that I was extremely alarmed. I doubled my efforts to get in contact with her but all attempts were a failure. Then, that thing with the dementors occurred. I knew how to do wandless Patronus Charm- which wouldn't have gotten me caught- but, then I felt a strange kind of feeling that I was compelled to perform the Patronus Charm with a wand. I know that I can throw off an Imperius attack, but this was different. The power was too much. When I finally arrived at Grimmauld- I forgot the fact that Dumbledore was the bad guy and there was something wrong with Hermione. I also forgot that strange feeling. When I finally remembered everything, I enlisted Kreacher's help to find out what was wrong with Hermione. What I found out, shocked me to the core. Apparently, Hermione was being fed small doses of the Imperius and Slavery Potion- which, if in large doses could permanently transform her into a drone. I took Luna's help and tried to get Hermione alone- but every time I tried, I was obliviated. I even grew distant from Luna. Then, came the whole Department of Mysteries thing. When I got the vision, I knew it was fake. I knew it was. But, a second later, I was on a freakin' thestral flying to the Ministry of Magic. Then with cursing Bellatrix, I knew that I could perform an outstanding Unforgiveable. I had been practicing and I got it down like a pro by the end of fourth year. But, I felt something pulling my power, exhausting it. Then, I was back in Dumbledore's office, when he was telling me that the death of Sirius was not my fault, I knew that he was lying! I always knew when people-especially adults-are lying. But, that strange feeling again returned and I believed every fucking lie that came out of Dumbledore's mouth. There are so many holes in my memory. I need to carefully sort them." Harry ranted.
Snape was shocked. But, before he could say anything, Goldaxe said- "I am sorry to interrupt, but we have business to attend to."
"Yes, of course, Goldaxe. Harry is a bit distressed. Could you please take us to your office?" Snape answered politely.
Goldaxe's Office
"Okay. So…what do we do now?" asked a relatively calm Harry. Snape had forced a couple more Calming Draughts down his throat.
Goldaxe gave a truly terrifying smile and said- "you both will claim your Lordships, of course."
"And how do we do that?" asked Snape.
"You need to cross your wand over your chest and say- 'I [insert full name], by rite of magic and blood claim the Lordship of the House of [insert name of house]. So mote it be'." Goldaxe said.
Harry crossed his wand over his chest and said- "I, Hadrian James Potter, by rite of magic and blood claim the Lordship of the House of Potter"
The Potter Griffin cried out and the Potter ring (red background with a Griffin roaring) appeared on Harry's middle finger.
"The House of Black"
The Black Raven screeched and the Black ring (Slytherin green background with a raven sitting) appeared on his middle finger and merged with the Potter Ring.
"Are the rings supposed to merge together?" Harry asked looking at the unique merged ring which nestled on his middle finger. Not too small, not too large. It was as if the rings were made especially for him.
"Yes," Goldaxe said curtly.
"I, Severus Tobias Snape, by rite of magic and blood, claim the Lordship of the House of Prince"
The Prince Stag galloped and the Prince ring (bluish-red background with a Stag standing proudly) appeared on Severus' middle finger.
"Now, since Lord Potter-Black has assumed Lordship over both of the Houses, you will be able to cancel the marriage contract without any difficulty." Goldaxe informed.
Harry grimaced when he heard 'Lord Potter-Black' and said- "please, just call me Harry. Also, what do I need to do to cancel out the contract?"
"Since you have become an emancipated minor and the fact that Albus Dumbledore was never your magical guardian, so this contract has become illegal. If you wish, then I will keep a copy of this contract for your future evidence."
"Yes please, that will be nice." Harry said.
Goldaxe said something in another language-probably Gobbledygook and, suddenly there were two copies of the Contract.
"To void the contract, you need to say- 'I, Lord Hadrian James Potter-Black, consider the marriage contract between myself and Ginevra Molly Weasley as null and void. So mote it be!'." Goldaxe said.
Harry repeated- "I, Lord Hadrian James Potter-Black,"- he grimaced when he said 'Lord'- "consider the marriage contract between myself and Ginevra Molly Weasley as null and void. So mote it be!" Harry gasped slightly as magic enveloped him and the contract which glowed white for a couple of seconds.
"Congratulations, Lord Potter-Black. As of 13:10pm on 4th August 1996, you are no longer betrothed to one Ginevra Molly Weasley." Goldaxe said in a monotone voice.
Thank Merlin for that." Harry muttered. Snape internally agreed. He wouldn't even wish the youngest Weasley on James Potter…and that is saying something.
"I have a couple of questions about the rings." Harry said suddenly.
"And they are..?" Goldaxe trailed off.
"Can these rings vanish? Also, can they appear as individual rings?" Harry asked.
"Yes and yes. You only need to think for the rings to vanish and reappear. Same to make them appear as different rings." Goldaxe said.
"Dumbledore has taken a lot of money- G10,000 every month. He has also taken old Family Heirlooms- like the Potter Signet Ring, the Potter Engagement Ring, the Potter Promise Ring and the Potter Wedding Bands. Also, he has sealed the will of the late Lord and Lady Potter." Goldaxe informed. Harry looked livid.
"I want all of the money back- along with interest. The old Family Heirlooms should also be taken away. I don't care if you use force to take them back- but just don't kill him. I have plans for him. Also, can we read the will?" Harry said stiffly.
"Yes, of course." Goldaxe said as he rummaged through a few files and took out a yellow, thick parchment. The seal of the parchment was broken- signifying that the people who made the will were dead.
"Since it is sealed, I will need one drop of your blood to make it active again, Lo-Harry." Goldaxe quickly told Harry after seeing the dark look which flashed across Harry's incredibly handsome features.
Harry wordlessly conjured a knife, slashed his hand (without flinching) and let one drop fall. The parchment glowed gold and, like a hologram James and Lily Potter's ghostly figures appeared in the air.
(A/N- I am going to be switching a lot between Lily and James. So, the bold (and italics) writing is said by James and the underline and italics writing is said by Lily)
James said- "I, James Charlus Potter"-
"And I, Lillian Rose Evans-Potter"- the ghostly figure of Lily Evans Potter said.
Then, they continued together- "being of sound mind and judgment, hereby make this our last will and testament. All of the previous wills are considered null and void."
"Ok. So…I am dead. I hope I died by dueling Voldy or a death eater 'cause dying in a car crash would be extremely embarrassing."
"James! Get on with the will already!"
"Yes dear. So, first is to one of my best friends- Sirius Black. I leave you my Puddlemere United broom and t-shirt. I also leave you G500,000 (though you won't need it). Distribute the contents of the Marauder Vault between you and Mooney (Peter is a traitor). If something happens to us, then you are first in charge to take care of Harry. Teach him to be a true marauder. Onto more official matters, I, Lord James Charlus Potter, Lord of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter, name Lord Sirius Orion Black III as the proxy to the House of Potter when me or my heir is unable."
"I leave Sirius Black with one of my hand-written journals full of new and inventive Defense spells. You actually gave me more than half of the ideas. Make good use of these spells. Also, I am giving you the responsibility to look after my son. If you engage him with anything inappropriate, then I swear that I will rise from the grave and give you a taste of my runes."
"Next, to Remus Lupin, I leave behind G10,000,000 and the Marauders' Abode which is a cottage in the middle of a forest. The money and the house is non-refundable. I repeat- non-refundable. And, no, Mooney, it's not charity. It's helping a friend in need. Do me a favor and buy a new wardrobe, will ya? Also, gather up your courage and settle down with a certain dog."
"I had opened a sanctuary shortly before Harry was born which is basically a safe haven for werewolves. I want you- Remus Lupin to be the manager and Head of this sanctuary. There are many like you who don't deserve the belittling. I hope you will be happy. Also, I leave you behind a…scrapbook of sorts. It has all the pictures of the Marauders- together and individual. The dates, places and significance of the picture is written in that page. Hopefully it will remind you of us. When Harry gets old, please give him this scrapbook."
"To Peter Pettigrew- I leave you nothing. You are the reason we are dead. I give you a one-way ticket to hell."
"To Peter Pettigrew- I, like my husband leave you nothing. I only hope for justice when you are in front of the Wizengamot."
"My wife thinks"-
"-knows"
"-knows that Sirius will be wrongfully accused for being our secret keeper. So, I, James Charles Potter"-
"-And I, Lillian Rose Evans-Potter"
"-state that one Peter Mason Pettigrew is the secret keeper of 26, Hemmingway street, Godric's Hollow."
"If Sirius does something rash, please make a copy of this part of the will and send it to the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
"Hullo Frank, godbrother. I hope you are alive and kicking. Thanks for giving us many ideas for our pranks. You truly were my brother. If Sirius and Remus are unable to take care of Harry, please take care of him for me. You will always be my lil' bro. I give you an extremely rare plant imported directly from the Amazon."
"Dear Alice. I hope you, Frank and Neville are fine. You were my sister, even more than Petunia. Thanks for listening to my rants and comforting me when the Slytherins called me 'mudblood' for the first time or when I got a particularly nasty letter from Petunia. You were my true sister- who stayed by my side through thick and thin. I will never forget you. I leave you an album full of pictures of you, Marlene, Dorcas and me. Hope you like it, sis."
"To Minerva McGonagall. You are a brilliant teacher, though very strict. And, all the discreet questions about Animagi were not for an extra research project- we learnt how to be an animagus. We did it to keep Remy company during the full moons. Sirius is a grim-like-dog, I am a stag and Peter is a rat. We also registered in secret- Moody can tell you that. I leave you G200,000 along with a hand-written book- The Shortcut of Being an Animagus. 50% of the money made from this should go to Remus and Sirius. The other 50% goes to you. Please make sure that the book is published."
"Hello Professor McGonagall. I hope you are fine. You were a brilliant person to go to when I was hurt. I had quite a bit of fun- chatting with you while playing chess in Christmas. You were-and, hopefully still are-a brilliant chess player. Thank you for listening to all of my teenage complaints. I leave you behind my advanced Transfiguration notes and new spells and curses one gets by mixing Transfiguration with Charms or Runes. It was fun coming up with the list. Hopefully, it will come in handy."
"To Severus Snape, I am extremely sorry that I have bullied you for all of these years. I know that you probably won't forgive me, but still. I have no explanation as to why I have acted like that towards you. I hope you will forgive me. I leave you G10,000,000 and a ticket to attend the most prestigious Potions Academy in the world. It changes automatically. Like, right now the most prestigious academy of Potions is the one in Milan. If you use this ten years later- then this will have the ticket to somewhere else. Snape? A word of advice- do NOT trust Dumbledore. He is a manipulative old coot who does everything for his OWN 'Greater Good'. Don't ask me how I got the information."
"Hello Severus. First of all- I have forgiven you ages ago for calling me a mudblood. Don't feel sad about it. Also, don't feel guilty over the decision you have made. It is fate and destiny's play. We are but puppets to them. I also give you my Potions journal which has the potion you need (all ingredients will be found in my Personal Vault- 688) to return Alice and Frank's sanity. How do I know? Well…let's just say that I am a partial seer. It means that sometimes I can see small flashes of the future but only when the result has been set in stone and the situation affects me or anyone I consider as my family. I had known months before that you had become a DeathEater. I knew one week before James proposed me that I would have a baby. It is a very old family gene which has passed down from one witch of the family to the next. Harry seems to have the ability to know when we would be in danger. Oh, and in the subject of Harry- if Sirius and Remus are not able to raise him for some reason, then you are the next person in charge to raise him. Please don't treat him like dirt. He is not James! I had always loved you like a brother. You are my godbrother. Also, if you don't cut that hair of yours, then I swear that I will return from the grave to lecture you."
"And, finally to Harry I leave behind everything else. I am incredibly upset that I won't be there for you when you need me the most or when you will snog your first girlfriend. But, unfortunately some things must be done. You will become an emancipated minor at the age of 14. Sirius or Remus will explain you the 'Pureblood ways' and all of that. My personal things- like my Transfiguration Notebooks, how to become an animagi, my copy of the marauders' map…everything will be found in vault 686 (the one before your trust vault). Do whatever you want to do. Find your girl and make me proud. I will love you always, Progslet."
"Hello Harry. I sincerely wish that my vision was wrong but, unfortunately my visions are never wrong. I am so sad that I will not see you grow up into a gentleman that I am sure you will become. I hope that Sirius, Remus or Severus is the one to raise you but I doubt it with Dumbledore manipulating us. Never trust Dumbledore. He is a wolf in a sheep's disguise. He will manipulate you for his own 'Greater Good'. No good comes from that. Go to Lord Voldemort. Assuming that he is sane. I am so, so sorry that I will not be there for you when you need me the most. I leave you behind everything else. All of my personal stuff can be found in vault 688 (the vault after your trust vault). I love you with all my heart, dearest. Be happy, be strong."
If Harry Potter's godparents- Lord Sirius Orion Black III, Lord Francis 'Frank' Alexander Longbottom and Lady Alice Gemma Longbottom are unable to raise Harry due to any complications, then Harry should be raised by the following people:-
1) Remus Lupin- please note that this overrides Article 24 of the 'Werewolf Rights' Law passed in 1678
2) Severus Snape
3) Minerva McGonagall
4) Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy
5) Sebastian and Francesca Greengrass
If all are unavailable for some reason, then Harry should go to a Neutral Family. Albus Dumbledore should NEVER be given the responsibility to raise (or give Harry to someone else to raise) Harry. Under NO conditions should Harry go to the Dursleys. They are horrible people who despise magic and we won't have our son go 100 meters near them.
This concludes the last will and testament of Lord James Charlus Potter and Lady Lillian Rose Evans-Potter.
Signed by- Lord James Charlus Potter, Lady Lillian Rose Evans-Potter
Overseen by- Sirius Orion Black III
A/N- 4,004 words! Without author notes. I am very impressed with myself. Please read & review. Follow and/or favorite this story if you like it. Thanks to all of them who have reviewed/followed/favorited/viewed this story.
