AN: I know I haven't posted for Matters of the Heart in a long while and I promise the next chapter is coming soon. My husband is still sick and not really getting better so he's taken up much of my time. Please bare with me and be patient with me. I promise to finish both of these stories.

I don't own Harry Potter but I wish I did.

Enjoy!

Third Times a Son

Chapter 3

Hermine held tight to Ron's arm as they walked through Gringotts. The feeling of loss and loneliness followed them. Harry's death was much more difficult than anyone anticipated.

Merlin, they knew for five years this would happen, but to be living through it is a completely different dragon.

They followed the procession of wizards to a large assembly room. The sign in front of the door read 'Will Reading for Harry Potter' then underneath, 'By Invitation Only'. They stopped at the door and Ron fished out the parchment from the inner pocket of his robe. "You ready to do this? It might get a little rough in there."

"I'm fine Ron." Sniffling and dabbing her eyes,

"I miss him so much."

"I know, me too." He kissed her forehead.

Hermione squeezed Ron's arm as he opened the door and they stepped through.

"Invitation please." Smeglok said, the Goblin in charge of the door.

Ron handed him the parchment and they were ushered to the front of the room. The first couple rows were dedicated to family members and the Weasley family were already in attendance.

"Charlie." Ron said and nodded his head to the rest of the family, while he and Hermione sat next to his older brother.

Looking around the room, they could see that everyone from Harry's list has shown up. Of course, all the Weasleys were there, the Headmistress, Hagrid, Aberforth, Oliver Wood, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood and even Severus Snape, who was sat next to Minerva looking like he would rather be anywhere else but here.

Hermione looked back to the front of the room and locked eyes with Griphook. He nodded and she stood and walked to the dais at the front of the room. Clearing her throat and squaring her shoulders, she began.

"Thank you all for coming. I know Harry would be very happy to know everyone he wanted here came. We are here today to read the Last Will and Testament of one Harry James Potter. Today is not a day for mourning but a day for remembrance and celebration. Harry had a rough life, contrary to what some people may think, he did not have it easy. He lost his parents at fifteen months and was sent to live with his muggle relatives. They were the type of people who didn't like anything different from them, mainly anything magical. Lily was a muggleborn, the only one in her family to be blessed with magic. Her sister, Petunia, is a very bitter person. Even though they were close growing up, once Lily presented with magic, Petunia shunned her, and everything associated with her."

At this Severus let out a derisive huff and Minerva elbowed him to be quiet.

"Needless to say, when Harry showed up on her doorstep, the future for him didn't look very good. It's a wonder he made it to Hogwarts and even more of a wonder that he didn't end up a dark wizard. Even with all the hardships that he endured before Hogwarts, he was extremely selfless and full of compassion and blessed with a huge heart. He loved those close to him unconditionally and he will be greatly missed." Hermione paused her to dab her face.

It's been a week and to her it still feels like the day he died. Her heart is hurting, breaking still, but she has to be strong to finish what Harry asked of her.

Severus was listening, but his brain had stopped on the 'showed up on her doorstep' part. Harry grew up with Petunia? Tuney? That bitch? Merlin. He swallowed and focused again on Miss Granger, just in time to hear 'and a huge heart'.

"He never knew he was a wizard until Hagrid told him. Hagrid was the one to hand Harry his Hogwarts letter when the Dursley's refused it to him. Hagrid introduced Harry to Diagon Alley and the wonders of the magical world for the first time just weeks before he was to start Hogwarts."

At this everyone turned to look at Hagrid. He was smiling at the memory before he sniffed into his hanky. "Gonna miss tha' lad."

"Harry entered Hogwarts an innocent little boy, only knowing the horrors of his home, and hoping life in the wizarding world would be better. Only to find that it's much worse but in a different way. Where he didn't exist in the muggle world, he was known by everyone in the wizarding world. It was a tough transition for him. The hardest part for him was how people judged him before even meeting him. Some liked him because he defeated Voldemort, while others despised him for defeating Voldemort, and some just hated him because of who he came from."

Everyone knew she spoke about Professor Snape, it was no secret that he hated Harry. Which begs the question: Why is he here?

"Harry passed away in his sleep peacefully and he would want you to know that he doesn't want you to mourn long for him. He wants you to live. Live and love those around you like you don't have a 'tomorrow'. Live a happy, stress free life. Laugh until your stomach hurts, and 'love like you could lose it at any minute' kind of life. Enjoy the scents of nature no matter what season it may be. Each one having its own unique qualities that are normally taken for granted. Share your feelings more often and don't let the little things get in the way of your happiness. I think Harry always lived by these rules even before he came to Hogwarts. He enjoyed life, what little of it that was his own, even though Voldemort was out there. I think he always thought he would die young and tried to commit to memory all the things he would miss if he did. He was life and I for one will miss him greatly." Hermione looked to the people assembled here and found most of them nodding in agreement.

"Harry was surrounded by family and friends when he took his last breath. He made us all promise to celebrate his life and not mourn his death and we have honored his request. He will be missed…so much…" she trailed off. It was hard to speak around the lump in her throat. She took several breathes to stop the tears, but they came anyway. Looking up to her fiancé, she straighten her robes and concentrated on him. "Harry has decided that the reading of his Will should be as unique as his life was. Each of you here will be receiving an envelope. Inside the envelope is a letter and your inheritance from Harry. I know that some of you don't understand why you are here and that will be explained in the letter in your envelope. This is a final distribution of Harry's assets requested by him. Please keep that in mind when you look into your envelope. He put a great deal of thought and time into this and I hope all of you will be respectful of his wishes."

As she spoke, Griphook produced a basket of golden envelopes all sealed with the Potter and Black seal and sat them on the podium. He looked to Hermione and bowed his head as he backed away. Hermione tilted her head in response as she finished her speech.

"As I call your name, please come up and get your envelope. I ask that you wait until all the envelopes are given out before you open them. Also, they must be opened now and verified with Griphook at this time to accept your inheritance. Once you view your bequest, you will need to have your identity verified with Griphook and then you will sign all the legal documents accompanying the Will. As soon as you do this the inheritance takes immediate effect and you may leave if you choose to do so at that time. However, there will be tea and biscuits for those who would like to stay in remembrance of Harry."

"In addition, once you break the seals on your envelope you will be entering into a magical vow of secrecy, you will be unable to communicate the contents of your inheritance with anyone. Therefore, maintaining that all disbursements are kept confidential. Even so, Harry has allowed the vow to be specific. Properties and such are understandably not included in the secrecy vow, however, monies and personal items and knowledge are."

After stating the 'rules' of the Will, she looked to each person to get a visual confirmation before calling the first name.

She picked up the first envelope, a medium size manila folder, and called "Charlie Weasley." He stood and took the offered envelope and sat back down. He was curious about its contents but sat waiting while Hermione continued to distribute the envelopes. He watched as everyone in the room received one, even the potion's professor. However, when the dark man turned to return to his seat, Griphook approached him and guided him out of the room.

"What's going on dear? Where is he taking Severus?" Molly asked and everyone else stopped what they were doing and waited to hear the answer. It's no secret that the ex-death eater turned spy despised Harry and although most knew the feelings were not returned they still were curious.

"Harry has arranged for Professor Snape to view his envelope in private. His envelope won't open otherwise." Hermione stated.

"Why would Harry do that? Is there something going on we should know about? This is all very unconventional. I've never heard of secrecy vows and such at a Will reading before." she inquired, concern all over her face. What's going on here? First private envelopes and now Severus?

"Molly, this is Harry's wish. Who are we to question what he wanted. Let's let the man view his envelope how Harry intended. If there's anything we should know we will find out in due time. Remember, this is what Harry wanted." Her husband said softly.

"But Arthur…"

"Please Molly…we have our own to go through. This is hard enough, lets get through this painlessly and together and lets not worry about Severus, okay Love?" Touching her arm in a loving manner while looking deep into her eyes. "Please Love, for Harry."

"You're right, honey. I'm sorry." Smiling at her lover before turning her gaze back to Hermione. "I'm sorry, dear. Please continue."

"Thank you"

XxxX

"Do you know what's in Snapes envelope?" Ron asked his fiance once they were alone.

"No, but I do know that the secrecy vow on his envelope allows him to share it with us if he so chooses." She said back absentmindedly. She was too busy surveying the room and the reactions on everyone's faces as they went through their envelope. Now she understands all the meetings with Gringotts. This must have taken more time than she can imagine. Just that thought alone brought tears to her eyes. How could she not have seen? Her best friend, her brother in all but blood, putting his affairs together right under her nose. No wonder he refused her help once he moved in with them.

"Why? Why would we want to see what's in that gits envelope?" Ron said breaking into her thoughts. It's going to be hard enough being civil to the man. A man who didn't want anything to do with his friend when he was alive.

"Ron, you know why. As much as you dislike the man, he is Harry's father and if I had to guess what's in the Professor's letter; I'd say he's telling him the truth. Therefore, Snape will probably be coming to us for information on Harry. Plus, I'm in possession of 'the letter'."

"What? Why would he give you the letter? Why not give it back to him?" Ron sputtered. Sometimes his friend did strange things.

"He did leave it to Snape." she said.

Ron just looked at her with a blank face, but it wasn't coming together for him quick enough. She smiled back at him and placed a hand on his arm gently. "He left the letter with me on purpose. He wants Snape to come to me to retrieve it, and since we can see his envelope, I'm guessing there's something in there Snape won't understand, but we will. Harry wants me to help him, Ron; wants us to help him. He wants us to help his father cope with the news and we're going to do everything we can to help the man. This is for Harry, for our friend, it's the least we can do."

"But it's Snape. You're telling me Snape will be coming to our house and we have to be nice to him? After how he treated Harry? No way, Hermione. I don't think I can do that." he said through clenched teeth. "That man doesn't deserve our time for how he treated Harry, I don't care if it is Harry's last wish."

"Ron, you don't mean that. You love Harry too much to go against him now. When the Professor comes to the house, you have my permission to leave the room and I'll handle it, okay?" She leaned up and pecked his lips then smiled.

"Okay." he whispered before capturing her mouth once again.

XxxX

Ron excused himself from the room claiming he needed some fresh air. He stepped out into the hallway and found a bench down the way. Making sure he was alone, he sat down and wiped his face. "Harry, what are you on about? What have you done?" he mumbled.

He reached into his cloak pocket and pulled out his letter from Harry. When he found it the other day, he just couldn't find it in himself to open it. Now though, it seems he needed to read it before events begin that he won't understand. Obviously Harry put some things into motion and Ron suspected Harry informed him via this letter. "Damn your secrets, Harry." he whispered before opening the envelope and pulling out the letter.

Ron,

Mate, what do you say to the first real friend you've ever had? I'm sorry? I'll miss you? I love you. Because all three of these things are true.

I'm sorry for so many things, Ron. I'm sorry for putting you through all of this when you should be enjoying your life now that Voldemort is gone. I'm sorry for not being there with you when you finally marry Hermione and start a family. Just know that wherever I end up, I will find a way to see you and what you've done with your life. So please make the best of each and every day. Love Herrmione like there's no tomorrow and don't let the fights linger. Promise me you won't hold any grudges longer than you need to and talk to Hermione when you feel the need. She loves you, god knows why, mate, but she loves you very much and I want the two of you to be happy.

I'm going to miss you very much. You taught me so much and I bet you don't even realize how much. Remember when you showed me Wizarding chess for the first time? I'll never forget how shocked I was when the pieces moved. I was so jealous of you because you grew up with magic and I was just learning about it, but you showed me that even though you knew magic your whole life you were still awed by it. You relished in it, soaked it in and cherished any new magic you saw. I love that about you. Taught me to savor magic and not take it for granted. Which I tried to do all my magical life. You also taught me the art of tactics. Your brain always one step ahead of the game when mine was always two steps back. Must have been my upbringing but I would like to think you helped me in that regard too. We might not have agreed all the time but I can admit that your brain has saved us on many occasions.

You know I see you as my brother. Just like I see Hermione as my sister. Promise me to be there for her and help her to get through this. I'm depending on her to complete a few unconventional tasks for me after I'm gone and she won't ask, but she'll need your support anyways. Love her, cherish her, and be her unconditional support.

I know your thinking I'm a prat and a coward for not saying these things to your face before I left. For keeping secrets from my two best friends and asking you to have faith in me after I have departed. And you'd be right. I am a coward but I need the two of you more than ever now that I'm dead. Things have been set in motion with my death and Hermione will be at the forefront of making sure the right path is taken. I know this sounds crazy and it is, but Hermione has already promised to help me. I just need you to support her in any way you can.

I know you don't want to hear this but I have to say it. Snape. My dad. I need you to be there for him if he comes to you. Put your temper aside and keep an open mind when it comes to him. He's had a hard life, a tragic life and it's going to get more tragic when he learns the truth. He's going to hate himself and blame himself and he can't do that. Don't let him, Ron. Promise me to tell him every chance you can that I never blamed him for anything. I always understood his position regarding me and I was okay with it. Sure, I would have liked to have had a relationship with the man but I understand why we didn't. You need to help Hermione help him understand that and keep him sober and on track. Whatever you do keep him on task.

Wow, this letter has gotten away from me. I just don't want to say goodbye. You're my family, Ron; you and Hermione. I love the two of you so much. Please be happy in whatever you do, love wholeheartedly and keep family first. Enjoy the little things life throws your way and savor every moment. Smell the fresh air and close your eyes into the wind and think of me. I'll be there, in your heart whenever you need me.

Your best mate,

Harry

Ron looked up from the letter and wiped his nose. Damn Harry.

Please Review.

-Lovetoreadseverusdotcom