I don't own SPN or Harry Potter.
Chapter 5 – pawns of an old man
The look he receives from Harry tells him that he isn't pleased with the wording of his godfather. If looks could kill Sirius would be six feet under. He tries to soothe his son. "Harry." but of course it didn't work.
"How can you call him that, he was a good man." Harry says in an angered tone. That's enough. It was time that he teaches Harry what a man Albus Dumbledore really was. He put him on a pedestal and the man couldn't do nothing wrong in his eyes. He acts like the rest of the wizarding world in that manner; the most of them believe that he such a good man. Yeah that is bullshit and so far from the truth.
Without reacting to his son's statement, he orders. "Take a seat all of you." all of them obeyed; because they knew that Sirius was pissed. The only one standing was Fred, who he didn't notice until now. But even if this was a family matter, he somehow is part of it. So he tells him. "That includes you Fred." After all of them were sitting around the table, he starts pacing around the kitchen again and takes a deep breath before he starts. "I will tell all of you exactly, what a good man Dumbledore was." His voice indicates that this wasn't a eulogy, but nothing but the hard truth. Harry wants to protest, but Sirius stops before he can begin. "No, you will listen and then you will think about what I told you." All the inhabitants nod, even Harry after some moments, if still hesitant. "As some of you know I was pardoned after the incident at the Ministry a year ago." He looks at them and they nod. "What you don't know is that Dumbledore tried to stop it."
"What? … Why?" Harry yells unbelievable. He can't fandom why this man, who was like a grandfather to him would do such a thing.
Even if he interrupted Sirius, Harry asks some important questions. "I asked myself the same thing and I didn't have an answer in the beginning, but after I was free and could do as I pleased I learned why." He tells his godson, who looks questionable back at him. "All in good time, but the reason why I a free man today are Se" he stopped for a moment, because Fred doesn't know his secret and he caught himself before he would say too much and stopped himself. "Snape and Remi, teamed up against Dumbledore and caught Wormtail behind his back. They brought him to the Ministry and there he confessed under veritaserum that he was the secret keeper and not me." Sirius makes a break and let his words sink in, because he knew that this was news to all of them.
Dean and Sam learned that he was in prison for something, but not that he was pardoned. They are very interested into where this all is going and what a man Dumbledore was, because they should know about the man before they arrive at his will reading. Preparation is always a good thing to react in an unknown situation or if you somehow end up in a tight spot. While Harry, Hermione and Fred didn't know that Severus Snape and Remus Lupin caught Wormtail. They all believed that Dumbledore used his influence on the Minister to free him. At least the man let it look that way, after Sirius was declared a free man.
Sirius gives them some moments to work through his statement, before he goes on. "After Dumbledore learned what they did, he was furious. … He sent Remi on a mission somewhere in the highlands, where he got him almost killed. … What he did to Snape, I don't really know, I only know that he wasn't at Order meetings for almost two months." That was a lie, Sirius knew what Dumbledore did to Severus, but because of Fred presence he can't tell them that out loud. Some things have to stay a secret for now, for the security of all involved. Not that they would believe him, because the great man Dumbledore tortured Severus and he knows that, because he felt the pain himself. The bond they share wasn't a normal marriage bond, no it was a soulmate bond and it meant that they could feel each other's emotions in some situation. Not a pleasant thing, because of Sev's work as a spy.
The only ones, who catch the lie where Dean and Sam, but lying is second nature to them and as the look at each other they communicate that they would ask their uncle later about it. They don't know why he would lie to his godson and their sister, but they are sure that he has his reasons, so they would keep them out of it. But they need to know to understand the man Dumbledore, who looks more and more like a manipulative bastard to them.
Harry can see in his godfather's eyes that he is telling the truth, but Harry can't understand why. "Why would he do that?" he voices his question.
Sirius walks to his son's seat, puts his arm on his shoulder and looks into his eyes as he tells him. "The reason was simple and I should have guessed it alone." But he stops, Harry looks expectantly at him. Sirius knows that it will hurt him, but it needed to be done. "Because of you." He let the words hang in the air and waited for the room to explode.
It was Hermione, who was the first one to voice her thoughts. "It doesn't make sense?" she tells them.
Even if she was smart, sometimes she was too close to something so she couldn't see the whole picture. But she wasn't the only smart person in the room; it was Sam, who figured it out. "He wanted control over Harry. Am I right?" he tells and asks at the same time.
Dean and surprisingly Fred came to the same conclusion. "That makes sense." they say at the same time. Hermione looks at them and can't believe what she is hearing, because after thinking about it, it made even sense to her. But Dumbledore can't be such a manipulative person or?
"Where is your prove?" Harrys asks his godfather, because even if he can read in his eyes that he is telling the truth, he still can't believe it.
"After I was free my first visit was to Dumbledore and demand that you would stay with me during breaks from that day on. He refused, but I found a way to change that, because as you remember you never went to your aunt after that." he tells his godson.
"He probably wouldn't want me away from the blood wards." Harry tries to hold on to Dumbledore as the good man.
Sirius looks perplex at him as he says. "What blood wards, there are no blood wards active at your aunts house."
Now Harry was shocked. Dumbledore told him that only the blood wards around that house would keep Voldemort at bay. But here he learns there weren't even any existing. "What … But … How?" he can't concentrate, because once again his whole world changed in an instant to the next.
"For blood wards to work the person, who they should protect has to be loved. … And I know that your aunt wasn't lovely to you in any way, quite the opposite." Harry hates to hear or talk about the treatment in that house, so he looks away from Sirius eyes and looks at the floor. But Sirius wouldn't have it. He knows why he is ashamed, because he lived through similar things in this very house. So he makes him look into his eyes. "I know that they bloods wards didn't work, because even if this house has some I was never included in them. Because even if my mother hit both me and Reg, she still loved him, while I was always a thorn in her eyes." Harry was surprised to hear that his godfather had a similar life than him. Harry wasn't a hugger; he only let Hermione and sometime Sirius touch him this way. Normally he would initiate such an embrace, but now he hugs Sirius this way. Sirius welcomed him with open arms.
It was hard for Dean and Sam to learn that their uncle and their father were treated that way in their own home. They find it quite disgusting. But to hear that Harry apparently lived a similar life was even harder. Dean has to voice his thoughts and hopes that he somehow lightens the mood with it. "I say all the time monsters I get, but people I don't understand." the whole room laughs at Deans dry humor to point out, that monsters are more of a humanitarian than humans itself.
Sirius lets go of his son and he takes his seat again. "But how did you get Harry to live with you?" Hermione wants to know.
All eyes were on him and he sees that she wasn't the only one, who wants to learn about that. Sirius smiled as he said. "It was simple I claimed him as my son. For that I invoked the magic bond of a godfather to his godchild and made him my son. After that Dumbledore couldn't stop me, because according to magic he was my son and with it my responsibility."
That made Harry happy. "Does that mean that you are my father now?" he asks Sirius.
"You were my son before that, but technically according to magic you are my son now."
"Why just technical?" Dean wants to know, before Harry can voice the question. He is interested in that, because in his eyes that would make Harry his heir and so he didn't have to be a Lord someday.
"He can't be my heir in things like title and such." Sirius answers, because he knew where his nephew was going with that question.
"I don't need that. I have enough money, but a father is nice to have." Harry says in a whisper.
"You get more." Sirius tells him and his son looks up at him. "You get a family." He gestures with his hands at the people in the room and he is right, all of them are his family and Harry is happy about that. A feeling he shared with the rest of the room, even Dean and Sam were happy to finally have more family. Even if Dean would do everything to protect them and it would be a hell of a job, he considers himself a lucky man.
Sirius claps his hands and yells. "Kreacher." after some moments the creature reappears beside him, before he could even start with his rant against him, Sirius orders. "Prepare some sandwiches and tea for all of us."
"Of course unworthy master." he mumbled as he starts with his task.
After that Sirius looks at his family. He looks from person to person; as his glance lands on Hermione he sees the new jewelry on her arm. Of course Sirius knew without a doubt what it was, but as Head of the house he should have been asked and receive some post with it. So he decides to have some fun with Hermione and Fred. "Fred, what brings you to our humble home today?" he asks him.
"I had some things to discuss with Hermione." he answers without thinking, because he didn't see that Sirius is suspicious about the bracelet.
"Ah, I see." he says offhand. In the same moment a big smile starts on his face and Harry as well as his nephews somehow knew that he plans something. "Was the discussion fruitful?" he asks him and as answer Fred nods. "Why didn't have I received a letter then?" with that question he crosses his arms in front of his chest and looks expectantly at him.
Fred knows what Sirius is talking about and he saw it coming. That's why he came prepared. He smiles, reaches into his pocket, stood up and holds the letter; he took out of his pocket, out to Sirius. "I apologize for my indiscretion, Lord Black. Hereby I present you with my letter of intent to court your niece Hermione Black." Fred Weasley may be a jokester and marauder, but he also knew the etiquette and what is expected of him.
The whole room besides Hermione and Sirius was perplexed with Fred's actions. Wizarding Customs are a novelty to them. A fact he has to change. They simply understand that Fred is asking Sirius to officially date Hermione. Sirius took his time before he reaches for the letter. He was a little surprised that the twin thought about it, but the Weasley twins always do that, they always are prepared if needed to be. He opens the letter and reads the content. The letter contains everything requested, like the income of Fred Weasley, all the important information's to his business as well as all of the properties he owns. The only thing missing is the crest of the Weasleys instead he found the crest of his business beside his signature.
Sirius stands up. "Mister Weasley everything looks promising and as the paterfamilias of Miss Black I accept you letter of intent." he tells him. Hermione watches the interaction between her boyfriend and uncle. Even if she knew that this all part of the pureblood etiquette, it looks like a horse-trade to her, something she doesn't like.
"You know that I am not a thing!" she tells them angered. "It is barbaric of you two to think that you can hand me off like some sort of object." With the last words she stands up. Sirius and Fred see that ends of her hair spark with her magic. Not good, that means that she is on the verge to accidental break something. Dean, Sam and Harry see the scared faces of Sirius and Fred and have to laugh at them. Not that they didn't take Hermione seriously, no of course they respect her and probably would be afraid of her if they would be at the end of her wraith. Even if her brothers only know her for a short time, they know not to underestimate her. She isn't the first strong women they came across, Jo and her mother are the best examples for that and they are her mother and sister after all.
That was the reason that Jo for the first time put in her five cent into the discussion. She can't stand by and let the males in the room handle her sister like a property. They are human beings and as such they should be warned; never act to fast in their close proximity. "Only because we are women doesn't mean that we are not as worthy as you men." she says in a hard voice as he gets up to stand by her sister.
All of sudden Sirius and Fred are not only faced with one angered female, but two and even if only one of them was a witch, doesn't that mean they would underestimate the other one. They have to be careful, about what they do or say next. Carefully Fred says. "Love; of course you aren't an object for us."
"It is just how this things work to invoke the magic with it." Sirius finishes for Fred and hopes that Hermione sees it the same way.
"Is that so?" she mockingly asks them, before she looks directly at her uncle and asks in a sarcastically tone. "So I don't have a dowry for my future husband."
Without thinking Sirius answers. "Of course you have."
"That's what I thought." she said triumphal, but also still angered.
But Sirius wouldn't be Sirius if he hadn't had an ass up his sleeve. "Yeah, you are right, but your brothers have also dowries for their future wives as well." he tells them.
"What?" Dean, Sam and Hermione exclaim at the same time. Dean was irritated by the thought of marriage. While Sam was confused as he thought about the implication, because as bisexual the person he marries could be male and female and a dowry for his future husband sounds so crazy. And Hermione would have never guessed that the Black family, besides her old traditions would be so open to gender equality of course that was not it; as she learned only a moment later.
"Yeah, every child of the house of Black has a dowry, which includes 100.000 Galleons as well as the inheritance of one of the properties of the family. But it isn't a marriage portion per se, because according to traditions it is a way to give the new family a good start into their new life. … In an act of keeping this family together I decided that the Black family should return to the Black Castle in the highlands. So that after every one of you marry someone of your choosing, you will inherit one of the four wings of the castle. … Let's say that the size of every wing is twice as big as this home." with that he points at Grimmauld place.
"That doesn't change the fact that you still act as if I was an object that you could hand over to my boyfriend." Hermione says with a new fuel for her anger as she points at Fred.
"Kitten, it is custom to do it this way." he sees she isn't thrilled with this explanation. "But if you want we can change that, because let's not forget that we are the Blacks and as such have some influence. You know that I believe that are the best witch in this room. Not one off us wizards can keep up with you." He tries to soothe her and it worked surprisingly, who would have thought. He sees her visible relax, walk to her and give her a kiss on the cheek. Before he turns to the rest of the room and says. "Let's eat something." with that he retook his seat again. Jo and Hermione follow his lead.
Kreacher's prepared sandwiches appear on the table together with plates. They all start eating. It was still early not even 11 yet, but all of them a very exhausted. The last days were very tearing and it will stay that way for some unforeseen time. The next step that will bring a new input is the will reading of Dumbledore. During the eating the spook about the coming event and they decided together that they would arrive at Gringotts as a united front. While visiting the bank Sirius decided that he will arrange everything for his niece and nephews. This way they get access to their vaults.
The rest of the week was surprisingly uneventful for the inhabitants of Grimmauld Place. The Black siblings used the time to get to know each other, they were very close and that after only three days. Sam and Hermione connected over the love for books and learning. The both of them often were found researching together in the library. Dean and Hermione on the other hand connected over the love for movies, because even if Hermione was part of the wizarding world for almost 10 months a year, she loved to watch movies while at home. There was even a fight about a tiny nullity between the siblings with Sam and Hermione on one side and Dean on the other. That was the day Dean learned that he definitely hasn't a change against them together. The fight was over fast and their laughter was carried around in the house after.
After the revelations about Dumbledore's manipulations Harry stopped his grieving. His still felt guilty that he couldn't prohibit his ultimate demise. But he didn't worship the ground he walked on any longer. He and Sirius become tighter, because unconsciously he claimed Sirius as his father and with that their relationship has become closer. Harry is almost at the point of calling him Dad, but he still needs a little more time for that. The brothers and Harry became fast friends, which makes Hermione and Sirius happy. But Sirius was the only one, who saw the forming bond between Harry and Sam. He can't put his finger on it, but he thinks they could be soulmates. But he didn't tell them that, because he knows from experience that they have to figure it out on their own, like he and Sev had to do.
Another relationship that is growing to become something more is the relationship between Dean and Jo. Not that Dean would say that he was interested in her that way. But base for a good relationship is friendship and after all the time they two of them spend together they are on the way to become more than friends. In this case Sirius wasn't the only one, who recognizes it. No Sam, Hermione and even Harry, who wasn't that good with romantic stuff sees where this could be going. But as well as Sam and Harry, they need time so they all decided that they wouldn't interfere in any way at the moment and would let them alone.
All in all Sirius and his family were happy and after almost 100 hundreds of years there was live, a real one, back in Grimmauld Place. With his parents as the inhabitants of the house Sirius remembers that the house wasn't so light or open. But with the new people living here the house changed itself. The former dark house was lighter and as the living being the house was; it created new windows to let more light into the rooms. That was for Sirius an indicator that the home always represents the people, who live in it. Even with the fights they have, because let's not forget there are currently six people living under one roof, the atmosphere is lighter and open. The Black home becomes a beacon for the light, even if only a few could see it. But they who could were impressed with it, like Fred or George. The only thing that would make the house a home for Sirius for the first time after his birth would be a way to get rid of his mother. But with time and patience everything is achievable.
It's Friday and the next big hurdle for the Black family has come, like discussed they used the floo connecting to get to Gringotts at the mentioned time. The only one, who stayed behind was Jo, because she is a muggle and such she can't enter the bank. At the requested time the Blacks arrive at the bank with Sirius in full as Lord of the house in the lead, followed by his son and nephews with Hermione in the back. She was glamoured to look like her old self, because they all didn't want that anyone learns that the famous muggle-born Hermione Granger is actually Hermione Black. Not that anyone would see them, they entered Gringotts through the entrance for the Lords, which is in a relatively private area, because only the entitled know about it.
As they arrive they were greeted, by a goblin. "Good day gentlemen and lady. I am Ragnok and will verify your identities." with that he turned around and walked away. Sirius was used to the dealings of the goblins and knew, that he wants that they follow him. So he does just that. Their walks end in one of the rooms beside the main room. After all of them have entered, Ragnok turns to Sirius and says. "Lord Black please present your family ring as well as a blood sample." with that he points to a bowl on the table.
Like every Black Lord before him Sirius wears the family ring that identifies him as the head of house on his right ring finger. He holds out his hand. Ragnok looks at the ring and is satisfied, but he still needs the blood. Sirius cast a wordless Diffindo to cut the palm of his hand. Just one trop of his blood in the bowl was enough for the goblin to identify him as Sirius Black. A parchment appears beside the bowl and Ragnok takes a look at it. Without commanding what he is reading about, he is pleased, that Sirius sees in his eyes. Not that he knew how the goblins did that, but he guessed it had something to do with the magic of the vaults.
"Good the next one please." Ragnok says and points at Dean. He steps to the bowl and uses a Diffindo; Hermione showed him the spell and its wand movements, it very easy to learn. A spell he picked up quickly. Like with Sirius a parchment appeared beside the bowl with Dean's identification.
Before the goblin reaches for it, Sirius steps to him. "Can you please call for Ridon? I want to talk with him about my vaults." Sirius orders the goblin.
Who bowed with "one moment." and with the parchment in his hand he left the room.
"These creatures are so wired." Dean points out. His uncle warned him and Sam about the goblins, but seeing them made it more real and he couldn't almost believe that he didn't take his gun out after he saw one. Apparently Dean is getting used to this new environment, but that doesn't mean that he wouldn't still carry his weapons. He feels naked without them.
"I second that." Sam says.
"I wouldn't let them hear that, goblins are very noble creatures, but more important very vengeful." Sirius says in a serious voice.
"There were some goblin rebellions in our history. I think 3 or Hermione?" Harry tries to impress with his knowledge from History of Magic. But of course he was a little wrong.
"There were two rebellions during the 17th and 18th century and they were very bloody." Hermione answers in her teacher voice.
In that moment Ragnok walks back in the room with a second goblin, who was walking directly to Sirius. "You wanted to talk to me Lord Black?" he asks him.
"Yeah I want to create vaults for my nephews and niece. But first I want to know, how much I own in all my vaults." Sirius tells them.
"That will only take a moment." Rodin answered.
"No problem." with that Sirius take a seat at the table while he watched the goblin, who was responsible for his inheritance, work.
"Mister Black." Ragnok addresses Dean. "Your identity is confirmed." Dean nods as thank you, because what else can he do. He takes a seat beside his uncle. The goblin looks at Sam. "Please Mister Black, your blood sample please." With that Sam cut his palm, like his brother, he was a Black as well; the same was the case with Hermione. The last one was Harry, as Ragnok addresses him, he and the others besides Sirius where shocked. "Lord Potter, can you show me your family ring."
Harry looks panicked at his godfather. "Lord?" he asks in a whisper.
"Yeah, I probably should have warned you, but I didn't know if you were already instated or not." he tells his son and then addresses the goblin. "Ragnok he doesn't have his family ring, because nobody told him or me that he received his inheritance."
"What?" the goblin was outraged and showed it. But he acted very fast and said. "I am sorry Lord Potter I will collect Nagnok, he is responsible for your inheritance. I will be back shortly." with that he walked out of the room with haste.
"I am a Lord." Harry can't believe it; of course he knew that his family was part of the nobility, but to him being a Lord was a little much. The difference between Blacks and Potters is that the last isn't part of the sacred twenty-eight. But he still has a seat in the Wizengamot.
His thoughts were interrupted by Ridon. "Lord Black according to our notations you have currently 10 family vaults with the sum of 905.588.448 galleons. With the income of your different investments in businesses around the world it is growing … Here a list with your investments." Ridon hands the list to Sirius, who just takes it. He will look through it later. "There also they dowry vaults for Narcissa Malfoy nee Black, Draco Malfoy, as well as the recently added vaults for Andromeda Tonks nee Black, Nymphadora Tonks, Hercules Dean Winchester Black, Perseus Samuel Winchester Black as well as Hermione Jean Harvelle Winchester Black. The dowry vault from Bellatrix Lestrange nee Black was drained and the content was added to the family vaults." It is good to hear that the changes of the family tapestry have also taken effect in the bank. "As well as your own vault with a little over 2 million Galleons." Ridon tells him.
"Have you informed Andromeda and Nymphadora Tonks about the changes?" Sirius wants to know.
"Of course my Lord." 'Good, now I simply have to invite them for tea and we can talk about the changes' Sirius thought.
"Thank you. I want to create new vaults for my family, one for each of my nephews Dean and Sam Black, one for my niece Hermione Black and one for my claimed son Harry Potter. Each one of them will receive the sum of 1 million galleons for their disposal." he orders, but he knows that his family has to say something about that. The goblin simply nods and starts his working.
And of course Hermione was the first to voice her opinion. "That is too much." she tells him stubborn.
"No it is not." he tells her without starting a discussion with her. Her brothers on the other hand were silent. Their life gone from simple hunters to complicated wizards in only seconds, but the wheel is still spinning. Now they have money and not just a little bit, but a whole mountain of it. They don't know what to say.
In the moment Harry wants to say something about it too, but Ragnok arrives with a second goblin, who probably must be Nagnok. The second goblin walks to Harry and says in apologetic voice. "I am sorry, that we only do this now. But we tried to contact you Lord Potter since you turn 16, but every owl was returned to us." He didn't let Harry respond to that, but instead holds out a jewel box and opens it. "Lord Potter this is the Potter family ring, the magic should recognize you as the right heir of the house Potter after you put the ring on your right ring finger and it will resize himself to fit. Should you not be the legal heir of the Potter family the ring will simply not fit." he tells Harry and gestures him to take the ring.
With shaking hands he takes out the beautiful gold ring with the crest of the Potters on it. After some moments of simply looking at it, while the rest of the room was surprisingly silent to watch what will happen, he puts the ring on. As soon as the ring is on his finger he resizes to fit Harry and a white light shines in the room. To say that Harry was happy to learn that he was the true heir of the Potter family was an understatement. Not that he doubted it for a moment, but a little hesitance was still there.
"Good, Lord Potter. Give me a minute and I will gather your vault information's." Nagnok tells him. Without waiting for a response he turns around and works his magic.
Sirius stood up and walks to his son. "Congratulations, pub." He sees the panic in his son's eyes so he tells him further. "I will help you, so don't panic."
"Ok."
"Lord Black, please put your ring on the parchment, so that we can create the vaults legally." Ridon tells Sirius. With one last glance at his son he turns around and walks to the goblin to puts his seal on the parchment. As the seal is on the parchment it started to glow. The goblin turned to the recipient of the new vaults as four keys appear. "These are the keys to your new vaults they are bond to your blood. So it will be no problem should you lose them." He hands each of them a key.
For Harry and Hermione keys for the vaults were nothing new, but the concept is very fortune to Dean and Sam. Dean inspects his key, before he asks. "Aren't there any credit cards in the wizarding world?" Sam has to laugh at his brother's implication, because he can't believe that he is right.
But he was surprised as Ridon said. "Of course Mister Black, if you want one we issue you one. It can be used in the muggle as well as in the wizarding world."
"Nice, please." Dean says with a smile. Ridon snips with his finger and a black card appears in his hand. He hands the card to Dean so that he can take it. That was the moment that Dean learnt that he really was loaded now, because until now it were only numbers to him, but with the black card, which looks almost like an black American express, he feels very rich.
His thoughts were interrupted by Nagnok. "Lord Potter you currently have seven family vaults with a sum of 754.184.257 Galleons. The Potters have invested in many businesses around the world. Here a list with all the investments." Like with Sirius Nagnok hands Harry a parchment. To overwhelmed to think now about it now, he simply puts the parchment into his pocket to look at it later. "Besides the money you will find many jewels in your vaults, mostly family heirlooms. Currently there are six properties in the ownership of the Potter family. The destroyed Potter Cottage in Godrics Hollow, a Penthouse in London, Potter Manor in Wilshere, a hunting cottage in France, a Charlee in Switzerland as well as a Finka on Gran Canary." Nagnok finishes his report.
"Thank you." Harry answers. Not sure what else to do. It was a lot to take in.
But apparently now wasn't the time to think about it, because Ragnok declared. "Since we are done here would please follow me to the next room." Everyone got up and followed the little creature.
"Is it a public reading?" Sirius wants to know.
"No, but besides you there is one other person, who is invited by the deceased." Ragnok answers him as he shows him the door to the room. Sirius enters the room and sees who the other person is, besides them. He looked good, it was some time since he last has seen him, almost two months and Sirius was itching to be near him, but with his family near that wasn't so good. They know about him, but Harry at least needs some time to get used to it.
So Sirius casual walks to the front of the room and takes a seat. Severus Snape looks up and in his typical indifferent way just raised an eyebrow at the person, who took a seat beside him. Even if he was happy to see him on the inside, he can't show it on the outside. He has a cover to maintain and he knows that Sirius knows that. But as he watches, who else was invited to the reading he gets a little bewildered. While he understands Harry and Hermione, he didn't know, who the other two men were, but after he took a more through look at them he sees some resemblance between them and Sirius. But how can that be?
They all took a seat beside Sirius. As everyone was seated a new goblin appeared at the front. "Good day Lady and Gentlemen. After we all here, we can begin. My name is Tortuk, I am the head of the Will department and because of the high securities of this Will, we, the goblin horde, activate the highest wards, so that only the people in this room learn about the content." With that he makes a gesture to active the magic of goblins. An indicator that it worked was the closing of the door by an invisible hand. "This includes that you can only talk about the content with the people present in this room." Wow, that was impressive; Sirius asks himself, how Dumbledore managed to goblins to agree to that. "Are there any question?" he asks the people present.
They all shake their heads. "Good, let's begin." With that he summoned a parchment and started to reading the Will. "I, Albus Percival Wolfric Brain Dumbledore, Head of the House of Dumbledore, being of sound mind and body and being without outside influences, do set down this as my last Will and Testament." Tortuk made a dramatic pause. He looks at Sirius as he says. "To Sirius Orion Black I leave my memory collection related to Tom Riddle Junior." Sirius didn't know what to do with these memories, but a look at his son tells him that he knows. He looks surprised, but it looks like they need the memories. Good to know. "As well as an apology, I know my actions leading to get you pardoned could interpret as dark, but I did it for the Greater Good. But after Harry's first summer with you I learned that it was more than beneficial for the Greater Good then my actions." Who would have thought Albus Dumbledore surprises the world from the grave and apologizes? But Sirius is too long in this world to see through this new manipulation. The apology is not for him, but for his son to get back into his good graces. Sirius looks at Harry and sees that he is disrupted between believing what he hears and seeing it as what it is. For his godson sake he hopes that sees through this new sort of manipulation.
After Tortuk finished the first point a second goblin appears and gives Sirius the memory collection. The collection was shrunk so that Sirius can put it into his pocket. He has to sign the reception of the good with his family ring as well as blood. His nephews observe him, because they have learned in the last days that they could catch on a little faster by watching what happens around them. They need to know what they need to do after they receive something from the old man, because that has to be the only reason to be invited to the reading.
Next Tortuk turns to Harry. "To Harry James Potter, my boy, I leave the first snitch he caught in his first Quidditch match for Gryffindor." 'A nice sentiment, but not as useful as the memories' Harry thought to himself. "I also leave him with the sword of Gryffindor, because only a true Gryffindor can wield it." Tortuk looks up from the document and says. "I am sorry to inform you that we can only give you the snitch, because of an agreement from 1547 between the acting Headmaster at the time and the goblin horde, that states that the goblin made objects for the founders can stay as long as the wizards like in Hogwarts, but should someone give it away for more than a week it will get back to his forgers, the goblins." With that he looked as Snape. "Headmaster Snape I hope you will honor this agreement."
"Naturally." Severus said with a slight bow of his head, like he is devoted to that agreement. But Sirius is the only one in the room, who knew the man and his maneuvers. That's the reason that he is sure that he will receive the sword from him, if it is needed. Hopefully Harry and Hermione will not protest against this agreement.
Harry simply nods to that because what should he do with the sword. While Hermione was sure they could use it against the Horcrux's, but a short glance at her uncle told her to keep quiet and that's what she did as she watched Harry take his first snitch back. As she looks at the object she is reminded that snitches have memories and can store something. Maybe Dumbledore stored something in it.
"To Severus Snape I leave my deluminator, an object I created. His light should guide you in your darkest hour. Severus I thought of you as of son." Severus has to snort to that. He knew which kind of son, the one he can sacrifice. That made him angry, but a familiar hand, which was discreetly placed on his side, calms him somehow. Without looking he knows that only Sirius Black has that kind of effect on him. So he concentrates again on the reading of the Will. "I also give you two letters as well as memories which you can provide as evidence for your spy activity during the war, but only one is for you, the other one is for a whole family of spies. Like you they worked since the first War for me." After Tortuk finishes this part Severus is stunned he knew that he couldn't be the only spy under the death eaters, but he always believed that it was someone of the younger recruits like Flint or Pucey. The goblin with his new possessions brings him back to the present as he signs the reception with his blood.
Now Tortuk looks at the Black siblings as he reads. "This next part is very hard to explain, but I know that out there have to be three Black siblings, because Hermione's magic always felt familiar to me. Through Severus I also learned about the prophecy for the future Black generation and I believe that Hermione is one of them, the youngest. Even if I never have met you, I know that the oldest of the Black siblings could use some help. So I leave him a vial full of phoenix tears, from my beloved familiar Fawkes." Dean doesn't know what to do with that. But he heard Hermione's intake of breath and takes that as an indicator that it is a precious gift and that he should treasure it. So he takes it with a smile as the goblin presents him with it in exchange for a little blood.
"To the middle child of the new Blacks I leave a Book – The bond of magical siblings by Merlin, a first edition. It is always good to learn where you from and what you can do with your magic." Wow, even if Sam isn't that long part of the wizarding world, he still knows how valuable this gift is. Merlin was even in the normal world a famous figure, if only in the lore. But as a hunter the lore is his bible so he takes it seriously. This book could be useful, to learn more about their bond with which they could save Dean from hell. Besides the geek in him can't wait to get his hands on this book, Hermione probably feels the same. He looks forward to read it together with her. So he takes the gift like the rest of them.
"To Hermione Granger or better Black I leave my first edition of the Book – The tale of Beedle the Bard. May they be as sustentative to you as they were to me." Hermione was bewildered she never heard of that book and she doesn't know why it could be important to her or them. "I leave you as well with my Book of magical contracts, maybe you find an answer for a problem you will have." She has the slight feeling that he is pointing at the betrothal contract between her and Malfoy, but how he knew about that is beyond her. As she takes her new things she tries to hide her disappointment, because her brothers received more interesting, but more importantly more useful gifts then her.
"As my last action in this world I hereby forbid Ronald Bilius Weasley to talk about Horcrux's to anyone, so mote be! I learned about his attempts to get what he wanted in an unmoral manner." Harry, Hermione, Severus and Sirius can almost see Dumbledore standing in front of them with his damn twinkle in his eyes as he said that. He really was or is a master manipulator, because his doings probably are still going on. "As my last word I will tell you all - that we can win the war, because we have something Tom Riddle Jr. doesn't have and that is the bond of love. In this spirit: mombits, blobber, dinglet and rosett." All inhabitants in the room even Dean and Sam shake their heads at the antics of the old professor. But you probably don't have to know him to learn that he is an eccentric. "Thank you for attending this reading." was the last words of Tortuk before the wards were lifted and the door opened.
Everyone stands up and Dean sums the situation up, like nobody else. "That guy had some serious problems in his own little world." To everyone's surprise Severus laughs about the joke, even Sirius was surprised that he would lose his face like that. He was very humorous but normally only in private.
It took him a moment to calm himself. "Well said Mister Black." then he turns around. "Lord Black I think with all the things that change it is good to know that roses still bloom in august." with the last word he turns on his heel and leaves the room. Sirius was the only one, who didn't look bewildered by that statement, because it was a message was for him. Apparently he has a date to night at 8 in his Rose Cottage in Scotland, only Severus and him have access to it. Even if he didn't show it on the outside, on the inside Sirius made a happy dance. But without reacting to that statement in any way, he simply shoots his family out of the bank into the direction of their home. The sooner he was home, the sooner he sees his love again. His family only complied after they see that they can't get anything out of him and so they follow his lead home.
It has been a long day for Sirius. The anticipation of what happens in the evening make him excited, because after almost two months without seeing him, without holding him, without touching him, he can't wait. It was an entirely too long time for him without Severus. His nerves were also penetrated by the constant questions of his family. He loves them very much, but Severus Snape was a very private person, because every released information has the potential to compromise him so Sirius was silent and ignored the questions. It didn't take long till his family caught on, that he wouldn't talk or better until Hermione declared to all the others that they shouldn't bother him, because it his life not theirs and they did what she asked.
That didn't surprise him she is headstrong, opinionate, passionate about what she believes in and downright scary if she is working for a goal. All in all perfect to work at the Wizengamot in the Black family seat to change things. Sirius never wanted that, because he hates politics, but she could be the perfect candidate for the job and she would change as many things as she can. It could be a good idea to give her the seat, if she is up for it. But if he knows his niece a little bit, she would do it after some serious research of course.
Sirius doesn't know why, but they later it got, the more nervous he become. After sending an owl to invite the Tonks family including Remi for tea the next day, he constantly searched for something to do like reading, playing match of wizarding chess with Sam, who was a good opponent or thinking about a prank he can play on his nephews. He knows about their prank wars and he is seriously thinking about starting one to let them all have some fun, even if Hermione probably will curse him into the next week for it, it would be so worth it. But that all didn't change his nervousness so he decides to get himself ready, even it was only 6 pm.
But he couldn't wait any longer. He took a long shower to clear his head and to release some stress as his thoughts drifts to the object of his desire. He came out almost 40 minutes later and gets himself ready. Like a teenager for the first date he searched for 20 minutes what he should wear. In the end he decided to just go with the usual, he knew that Severus wouldn't mind, because he hates it if people made a fuss. With his final touches to his hear he was ready halve an hour before the meeting time.
His nerves were so big now, gone was the self-confident, cocky Sirius, everyone knew and loved, back was the version only Severus saw, because only he brought that version out. He isn't plagued with insecurities, but because of their long separations it always felt like some sort of first date to him and their first date was a total catastrophe. So he tries to avoid repeating that incident at all costs, but it is also the reason for his nervousness. But he banned that thought as he said good bye to his family and left for his meeting early.
Rose Cottage wasn't connected to the floo in Grimmauld Place, because it was the house he inherited form the only Black member besides Andromeda, who liked him after being disowned, his uncle Alphard Black. As soon as he visited he canceled the connection and made the building unplottable, because he didn't want to lose his sanctuary, because of his damned mother. So he has to apparate to the place, but it wasn't far. After he left the house his was at his destination after only moments, the wards recognized him and let him in.
He walked the short way to the door and after almost two months since his last visit he enters the cottage again. It was like he left it, clean, but still a little dusty, there only so much a cleaning charm can do, once every other month. So the place was dusty, but cozy. He took a seat at his favorite chair and waited for his lover. To pass the time he made a list of spells and charms in his head, which his nephews should learn. Beginning their education with things like Expelliarmus, but also Wingardium Leviosa, that spell can also be useful in a fight.
While he was thinking he didn't register how fast time past, so he was surprised as he feels that someone has preached the wards of the cottage. He knows that it only can be Severus, so he waits with a smile for him to open the door. It took him only moments and then Severus Snape opened the door, stepped into the house and closed it again. He walked into the middle of the room before he stopped and looked at his lover Sirius.
They both looked at each other for some moments, but nobody acted. Sirius could see that Severus still was in his spy personality and that meant for him that he was pissed. Even if he can't figure out why, he knows that he shouldn't provoke him this way. During their normal encounters Severus would always let his mask fall if only with Sirius, but not this time. Severus waited for Sirius to make the first step, because he knows that his anger would get the better of him.
After some long moments of silence, Sirius couldn't stand it anymore and said angry. "What got your knickers in a twist?" His temper was always a problem between them.
As answer Severus simply raised an eyebrow. He took a moment to torture Sirius with waiting for his answers, before he said. "So Regulus has children. Nice to know and here I thought we didn't have secrets from each other." His tone was leveled and normal, but Sirius could hear the anger that lies beneath.
Sirius sighs, because he can understand that Severus is pissed, they don't have secrets from each other. They tell each other everything, even Severus time with Voldemort and all the actions he has to participate in. But here was Sirius with a major secret that he kept from the love of his live. But it was Reg, so he would do it again. "Who says they aren't my children?" Sirius tries to lighten the mood and change the direction of the talk.
Of course with his snarky lover, who is pissed at the same time it wouldn't work. "What an eloquent way to lighten the mood. … Typical Sirius Black move, everything is a joke." Severus knows that his statement would make Sirius mad and he is ready for a fight.
"And you are the typical dungeon git again. So it has to be a normal Friday." Sirius spits back as he got up from the chair to walk to Severus. He stopped directly in front of his lover, so that they were eye to eye.
Severus wasn't intimidated in the slightest. He faces Voldemort on a daily base, so he can handle an angered Sirius Black. Even if he tends to do impulsive things while he is angered and he doesn't have a problem to anger him further. "Why didn't you tell my about them, I thought that we are a unit, but obviously I am mistaken."
"I wanted to keep my brother save."
Sirius tries to say, but Severus interrupts him. "From me, he was my best friend."
"Really is that why he was at our bonding ceremony?" Sirius asks angered.
"You know as well as me, that it was too risky to lose my cover. Let's not forget he worked for the Dark Lord as well." Severus tries to justify his actions.
"You should have asked me then, because I always knew I could trust him."
"But you apparently didn't trust me with that information." Severus said snarky.
"I made an unbreakable vow you git, to keep him save and I would do it again. There is only one other person out there I would give my life for." Sirius steps closer to Severus so that their noses almost touch; they look into each other's eyes, as he continues. "And this person is you, but …" He stops and huffs. "You know what Sev, if you want to fight, please by all means knock yourself out, but I have enough of it. I wanted to see you since the last time was too long ago, but not like this. So have a nice night." with that he turned around and walked to the door. He wanted a nice night with the love of his live and not the fight of the century, because of something he did to save his brother decades ago.
After only two steps he feels a hand on his shoulder that stops him. "I am sorry, Baby. Please stay." Severus says in a whisper.
Now Sirius was surprised Severus hasn't called him Baby since before his time in Azkaban. So he turns around to face his lover and he sees that Severus finally let his mask fall. He saw sadness, guilt and longing in his face, but what shocked him, was a single tear running down his check. Severus Snape doesn't cry it wasn't practical, but here he was and let his emotions go. Without thinking Sirius walks to him and embraces him in a hug. It felt good to hold him after such a long time of separation. He smelled like always after potions ingredients and Sirius loved it.
Severus was so happy to be in Sirius arms again and let all his emotions go freely. Being a spy and working for Voldemort is so tearing on him. There are moments he wants to give up and end his misery, even if he knew that the light side needs him to fulfil his task. The reason why he didn't quit is the man, who is holding him, to whom he was clinging to, he was his live line. But after what happened to him in the last week, he knows that he will lose him today, but he didn't what that, because with losing Sirius Black, Severus Snape would lose his life.
After some moments of holding him Sirius asks. "Severus what is going on?" because if Sirius knows one thing for sure, there are only a few things for his lover to lose his countenance like this.
Begrudgingly Severus steps out of the arms of his love, because he needs space for the discussion to come. But he still wants to near him at the same time. So he takes a seat at the couch and gestures to Sirius to take a seat beside him. As Sirius is seated, he takes Severus hand to give him silent support, because he has the feeling that he could need it. "He knows." Severus begins, before he adds with a sigh. "about us."
"What?" Sirius exclaims his Black temper and with it his reserve is melding. But he stops himself fast, because he knows that isn't what Severus needs. So he takes a deep breath before he asks in a calm voice. "How?"
"All started with Bellatrix and her traitorous tongue. She somehow convinced the Dark Lord that there was something fishy with me killing Dumbledore on the Astronomy Tower."
"How so?" Sirius asks after some moments of Severus being silent. "Do you think she suspect that you are a spy?" His tone was calm, but on the inside he was fuming. His cousin is so getting what is coming to here. He hopes the he will be the one to serve the final blow in the end. After she almost killed him and now this, it is in his right to do it.
Severus looks at his Sirius beautiful face. Even with the years in Azkaban and the Dementors he still looks young, healthy and mischievous. A side he always loved most about him. But he has to keep himself on track with the discussion. "It wasn't that, she simply was unsatisfied with losing rank at Voldemort's side. First she falls from grace because she couldn't kill you, then she was captured by the Ministry and he had to save her again. Then I was successful and proved my loyalty to him as a good asset and she was literally at the bottom on the food chain." he looks at his lover and tries to lighten the mood with a joke. "To put it in simple words for a Black to understand, she simply was jealous."
That earned him a barking laugh from Sirius. Merlin, how he loves that laugh and he missed it every time he can't hear it. It was good that Severus still has the power to chant a smile on his lovers face. That gives him hope that not all of his soul was lost with the things he has to do in order to keep his cover. It took Sirius some moments before he calmed down and asks. "That doesn't explain how he knows about us."
The expression on Severus changed to guild with that. "Bellatrix made her impressions known to the Dark Lord that I can't be trusted and because of that she was rewarded with torturing me." He makes a pause to take a deep breath. "So she used the Cruciate Curse on me, but that wasn't enough, because the Dark Lord used the opportunity to search my mind while I was in pain. … It was very hard to keep my occlumency shields up, I almost slipped and he almost saw my agreement with Dumbledore regarding his death as well everything else we planned. So I made a judgement call and showed him something real." Now Severus looks directly in the eyes of his lover, his husband, his soulmate as he said. "I am sorry Siri, but I gave you up for the Greater Good and I hate myself for it."
In the first moment after he hears those words Sirius was disappointed. But he felt something else and that was pain. He somehow knew that it wasn't his. He feels that Severus is pained with what he had done. So he tries to think about why he had done it. He said because of the Greater Good and that is phrase only Dumbledore used. So it has to do with him and somehow Sirius has the feeling that included Harry, his son. With giving him up he probably saved his son, could that be it. "Do your preparations with Dumbledore have anything to do with Harry?" he needed to know for sure.
Severus, who had looked at floor until that question looks up and asks bewildered. "Yeah why?" because every preparations Albus activated were connected to Harry to keep him save. Not only was he the son of his best friend, the reason he found the love of his live, he is also family. He is Sirius godson and claimed son now, so with it family and Severus Snape will always protect his family. He always hated how he had to treat him to maintain his cover and hopes that Harry will forgive him someday, so that they can be a family after all.
Sirius cared the check of Sirius as he said. "Then I know that you did it to keep your family save." with that he kissed his lover for first time in weeks. It felt so good to feel his lips on his. While passionate, the kiss was also short, because Severus broke it.
"We still have the problem that the Dark Lord gave me an ultimatum to either kill you or turn you to our side?" Quite a dilemma, but both aren't an option in Severus book.
"We find a way." was all Sirius said before he kissed Severus again.
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SORRY IF SOMEONE IS OFFEND BECAUSE OF MY DUMBLEDORE BASHING, BUT AFTER READING THE BOOKS FOR THE THIRD TIME OR SO, I CAN'T STAND THE CHARACTER ANYMORE.