Chapter 25: Moving Out
"Finally, we're done for another year," said James, lugging his stuff towards the train station. "One more year to go."
"Yeah, but that one's going to be a tough one," said Remus. "Remember how much work it was to get through our O. W. L.'s?"
"Oh God, don't remind me," said Peter. "But maybe now, because we're older and wiser it won't be so bad?"
"Well, we're older at least," said Sirius. "I wouldn't say we're wis…" Before Sirius could finish his sentence, a large barn owl swooped down and dropped a letter into his hand. "What the…"
"You got a letter," said James. "Must be pretty important if it didn't come by the morning post and came straight to you. Who's it from?"
"Gringotts, apparently," said Sirius, reading the sender's name on the back. "Feels like there's a key or something in it, but I don't have an account of my own with them. In fact, most of what I own is right here."
"Well, it definitely says your name," said Remus, looking at the name on the envelope. "Might as well see what it says once we're on the train." The four of them boarded the train and grabbed the first empty compartment they could find. Sirius immediately tore open the letter and pulled out the single sheet of parchment inside.
"'Dear Mr. Black'," read Sirius. "'Gringotts wishes to send its condolences on the recent passing of your uncle Alphard Black'…wait, Uncle Alphie's dead?"
"Your parents didn't tell you anything?" asked Peter.
"No, we're still not on speaking terms," said Sirius. "Aww, man. Uncle Alphie was the only decent member of my entire family. I can't believe he's gone."
"Man, I'm sorry," said James, before realising something. "Hey, what else does the letter say?"
"James, Sirius was just told his uncle died," snapped Remus. "Not even by his family, no less, by a bank…" Suddenly Remus seemed to realise too. "Sirius, what else does the letter say?"
Something seemed to dawn on Sirius too at that moment. "'In accordance with your uncle's wishes, we wish to inform you that you have inherited your uncle's fortune of ninety-four thousand and sixty galleons, fifteen sickles, and eleven knuts…'"
"Ninety-four THOUSAND?!" yelled Peter. "Holy crap, you're rich?"
"I am now," said Sirius. "I mean, that's…wow, Uncle Alphie, you got yourself disowned by the family for me?"
"He sounds like he was a great man," said Remus, putting a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder. "If there's anything any of us can do for you?"
"Thanks," said Sirius. "I don't think there's much we can really do for now. The letter just says to get up to Gringotts to fill out some paperwork and the money will be mine."
A couple of days later, Fleamont and Sirius had just come through the back door of the Leaky Cauldron and went through the wall leading to Diagon Alley. "This shouldn't take too long," said Fleamont. "Goblins may be nasty at times, but they at least try to make deceased estates easy on their loved ones."
"Good to know," said Sirius. "Say, I was thinking, since I'm an adult now, and I have a small fortune to my name, maybe I should start looking for a place of my own."
"Oh?" questioned Fleamont. "If you're sure. You're more than welcome with me and Euphemia, and I'm positive James doesn't mind."
"It's not that I don't appreciate everything you've done for me," Sirius added quickly. "It's just that, you know, I kinda just thrust myself on you guys. I know it was at a time when I needed help, but I just feel like it was a bit unfair to…"
"Nonsense," interrupted Fleamont. "We were happy to have you, and it's not in either of our natures to turn away someone who needs help. But I get it, you want to move on and get a place of your own. You're an adult, and you need to…" Fleamont suddenly stopped and looked at a figure blocking their path. "Sirius, why does this woman seem to know you?"
"Because she does," said Sirius, putting his hand on his wand when he saw Walburga Black staring back at him. "What do you want?"
"I want what's mine," said Walburga, not moving an inch. "Give it to me."
"I have no idea what you're…" started Sirius.
"DON'T LIE TO ME YOUNG MAN!" screeched Walburga, loudly enough that people turned to watch the confrontation. "Alphard's fortune should go to me, his sister, not some brat who abandoned his family's morals."
"Morals?!" spat Sirius. "You call muggle hating moral? You call kicking your sixteen-year-old son out on the street moral? You call grooming Regulus to your way of thinking moral?" Sirius kept a withering glare on Walburga, despite knowing his mother would not back down about this. "I'm clearly the only member of this family with morals, and that's why Uncle Alphie left me the money and not you."
"Your uncle was a traitor and a fool," snapped Walburga. "I was even planning on restoring his place on the family tree when he died because of the fortune I'd inherit. But now I have to take it back by force. Now, be a good boy and hand it over to me."
"No," said Sirius immediately and defiantly.
"You will NOT say that word to me, I am your mother," spat Walburga. "And as your mother…"
"You stopped being my mother the moment I was out the door for the last time," said Sirius, hand drawing out his wand since he sensed his mother was near her breaking point. "Also, I'm an adult now. Nothing you say has any meaning to me anymore. Now, I'm going to go into Gringotts, signing the papers to claim Uncle Alphie's fortune, and you're going to leave."
"Fat chance," said Walburga, pulling out his own wand. "I'm going to hex you back to the Dark Ages, young man."
"Madam, I suggest you do what Sirius suggests," said Fleamont, holding his own wand. "He has said he won't be giving you the money, and I'm inclined to agree with him."
"And who the hell are you?" demanded Walburga.
"A better parent to me in one year than you were in sixteen," said Sirius. Fleamont seemed to tear up a little at the compliment, while Walburga just got more pissed off.
"How dare you?!" said Walburga through gritted teeth. "CRUCI…"
"STUPIFY!" yelled Sirius and Fleamont at the same, sending Walburga flying down the street and crashing to the ground next to the steps of Gringotts.
"Well, that was fun," said Sirius, putting his wand away. "We need to do that again sometime."
"Can't say I like the idea of fighting each and every member of your family," said Fleamont, heading towards the bank. "But I agree, it was enjoyable."
Sirius stepped over Walburga's body, still stunned in place. "Goodbye, mother," he said. "I'd say it's been a pleasure, but you know…it hasn't."
"Now, now, no need to gloat," said Fleamont. "Come on, we need to get these papers signed."