"So far your article seems to be a success", Jupiter said.

"Yes, the aurors I had in the alley yesterday reported higher than usual traffic but no one seemed inclined to stir the pot or take further action. Everyone was out gossiping and trying to find a parent or a recent graduate to confirm the events" Amelia replied.

"My spies gave me a similar report". Jupiter reached forward for the teapot to refill his cup.

"Parents on the other hand weren't happy. Glenda told me that the Board of Governors rep was flooded with letters and howlers all day". Amelia shared a small smirk with her two compatriots.

The two directors had joined the Minister in his office for another early morning start.

"How is Lucius doing?" Jupiter asked while adding a cube of sugar to his cup.

"He's awake and refusing to speak to anyone except Lord Nott" Amelia said with a snort.

"I doubt he'll be seeing Lord Nott anytime soon with the way Lady Malfoy threw him out yesterday"

"How do you know about that?" Amelia asked "Were you spying on our interview?"

"Oh no, I didn't need to send in any spies. The whole office was a buzz with the newest gossip. Apparently some of your aurors were watching and thought it fun to share that bit of entertainment. Lord Nott is very prideful and I doubt he'll be making himself available to the Malfoys anytime soon. He'll want to punish them for the embarrassment. Especially when he finds out everyone knows of it."

"The Potters' will reading is today, isn't it?" Fudge asked changing the subject.

"Yes, I will be heading over in a few hours. Obviously I can't sit in on it, but hopefully they will have made a decision on guardianship. I also want to give Mr. Potter a heads up on what will be discussed during his relatives' trial. Quite a bit has come up during discovery."

"You should also suggest that he name a proxy for his Wizengamot seats. I'm assuming the plan is to out the fact that Dumbledore was illegally claiming to be his guardian." Jupiter asked.

"It will be up to Mr. Potter to decide how much he wants the public to know about his personal life."

"Be that as it may, the Wizengamot members will hear all about it at his relatives' trial. Have you decided how you're going to handle the call for revotes that are bound to happen?"

"What are you talking about?" Fudge said, almost jumping out of his seat.

"With Dumbledore illegally using the Potter's votes, any bill passed by one vote that he was in favor of will be called into question."

His answer was met with heavy silence. The implication that laws that had been passed and enacted over the last 10 years could be invalidated and overturned was mind-boggling. The battles that would need to be refought and the cases retried would tie up the court for years.

"Why is it that the Potter case just gets bigger and bigger?" Fudge moaned into his hands.

"It's not that the Potter case is getting bigger, it's that he happened to fall through all of the cracks in our government and is now making us deal with them." Amelia bit out with all the resentment of someone who had pointed out these issues before and had been ignored.

Taking a calming breath she continued. "I will reach out to Madam Longbottom and explain the situation to her. She can put together a small council to go through all of the legislation and find the ones that may become problematic. This way, when it comes out we will have answers and won't be blindsided."

HP-HP-HP

"Morning Rebecca" Lois greeted her as she stepped out of the floo. "You are looking quite cheerful for this time of day."

"We are finally reading the Potters' wills today."

"Ah yes. Hopefully that brings a little closure to that poor boy." Lois said, rubbing her stomach.

"True, but Mark has been very tight-lipped about the wills and I'm curious to see what's in it. He has been off since he sent out the invitations. Especially after he asked Amelia Bones to come by and speak to us afterwards. I can only assume there's some issue with Mr. Potter's guardianship". She said with a small grimace.

Rebecca was starting to become quite fond of Harry Potter and wanted to see him find a safe and loving home.

"Not to mention once the wills are read I'll be able to deal with any outstanding contracts and go after anyone spreading libel about Mr. Potter or the Potter family. Goldfeather has hinted during our meetings that once the estate is settled I will have a number of cases to deal with." She continued gaining back some of her cheerfulness.

"Is Mark in yet?"

"Yes, he got in about 20 minutes ago. He should be back in his office."

"Thanks Lois, and could you please put in an order to Madam Jacqueline's for a dozen pastries and 2 pints of her medium roast coffee." She asked on her way to her office.

HP-HP-HP-

Harry clung on tighter to the figure in front of him as the motorcycle dived towards the ground. Glancing over his shoulder he saw the basilisk come to a halt and quickly change directions in a move reminiscent of a seeker chasing a snitch.

Harry trusted Hagrid but he wasn't confident his large friend would be able to out fly the basilisk. He had barely escaped the first time when he had been able to squeeze into tunnels the enormous serpent couldn't enter. There was no way they were going to escape while flying around on a slow motorcycle in the open air.

He had barely finished the thought before the huge fangs of the basilisk closed down on them.

HP-HP-

Harry once again found himself waking from a heart pounding nightmare. This time his mind had meshed two reoccurring dreams together. He and Hagrid had been flying around on a motorcycle while being chased by a basilisk in the sky. The premise was ridiculous now that he was awake but he still had the sweat on his forehead to prove how terrifying it had been.

Casting a quick tempest he saw that he at least was able to sleep till 7:00 a.m. Considering the day ahead he figured he might as well get up and get a head start.

HP-HP-HP-

"That was anticlimactic" Farley said as Howards recounted Basil's letter to her. "I have to admit I was hoping for some good dirt on McGonagall. Not this average and somewhat sad report."

Basil had sent over his dossier on Minerva McGonagall early this morning and it wasn't the jucy read she had been expecting. McGonagall was a Scottish half-blood who had been raised by her mother in the magical world. She started Hogwarts in 47', was tapped as a perfect and later head girl, and graduated with 6 NEWTs.

A year later she entered into an apprenticeship with Euphemia Potter. After two years she attained Journeyman status, and 3 years after that sat for her mastery in 1960 at 23 yrs. She then joined a private research company that focused on experimental magic. That was also the year James Potter was born and she was asked to be his godmother.

In 1963 at the age of 26 she became engaged to Felix Ballentine. Unfortunately, he would be dead within the year under mysterious circumstances.

McGonagall took it hard. She quit her job and disappeared for a while. From what Basil could work out, she was staying with her mother. At some point Euphemia was able to coax her out and roped her into helping Euphemia with her research. The two would go on to co-author a number of articles for "The World Transformed" an internationally respected transfiguration journal. It was also during this period that McGonagall registered as an animagus with the ministry.

In 66' Dumbledore asked her to join the Hogwarts staff and a year later she was the head of Griffendore. By 71', James's first year, she was no longer submitting works to be published and was deeply involved in the workings of Hogwarts. This led to her becoming the Deputy Headmaster in 75'. By all accounts, she was friends with Euphemia all of those years and was devastated when she died. The day news broke of the Potter's murder, she was seen storming out of the great hall. There really wasn't much to say about her after that.

"I agree, I don't know where this leaves us with her. If there wasn't a falling out with Euphemia or James, then why has she been so standoffish with Harry? The least she could have done was have tea with him once in a while and talk about his grandmother if not his father." Howards said, notes of frustration entering his voice.

"I guess we will just have to ask her about it."

HP-HP-HP-

The Second Horizon occupants turned as the fire roared and auror Shacklebolt stepped out of the flames. He took a few steps to the right as he dusted himself off. A moment later the flames went up again and a figure in blue robes shot out and landed face first on the ground. Before anyone could walk over and check on them the flames ignited again and a third person came out. This time they could see it was a petite brunette woman before she too stumbled forward and fell on top of the person already on the ground.

"Ow!"

"What is going on? Is there something wrong with the floo?" Lois asked from behind her desk.

Auror Shacklebolt and Mark rushed forward to help the downed figures.

"No" Shacklebolt answered with a light chuckle as he helped the woman up. "It's just them. They have a... unique relationship with the floo system."

"I think the floo hates me'' Harry grumbled.

Trying to suppress a giggle, Farley turned and led them into Howards' office.

After settling everyone with food and drink, Howards went over the schedule for the day, who replied to the summons, and answered any last questions Mr. Potter had, before putting in his own request.

"I would like you to consider having auror Shacklebolt and Tonks sit in on the reading. I hope I am wrong but I feel they might be needed at some point."

"Concerned in what way? What kind of threat are we looking at?" Shacklebolt asked without a drop of his previous humor.

"I'm sorry, I can't say for certain. Both because of my oath to not divulge certain parts of the will before the reading and because I'm really not sure what is going on. But it has to do with Black and what he did in the past."

"In that case, I would like Tonks to stay close to Mr. Potter during the readings and I will stay in the back and keep an eye on everyone if that is ok with you Mr. Potter?"

After a few moments the child gave a slow nod. He was unusually pale and even quieter than usual this morning. Rebecca's heart went out to him. She wasn't the type to be overly affectionate but she itched to reach over and give him a hug.

With another thirty minutes to wait before their guest started to arrive, she asked for the aurors to step out as she updated him on the progress she had made with her cease and desist letters, and the discovery of his missing mail.

The first of the beneficiaries to arrive was Remus Lupin. The years had not been kind to him. He looked haggard and was graying prematurely. After introducing himself, he posted up in a corner.

Arriving shortly after him was Minerva McGonagall. She of course didn't need any introductions either way. She took a quick survey of the room, gave a nod as if this was as expected, and headed over to join Remus.

Last to arrive was Lord Richard Ballentine. Taking a quick glance at McGonagall, she didn't look surprised to see him. Richard Ballentine was the younger brother of Felix Ballentine and it was suspected he had something to do with his untimely death. Maybe one of Howards' concerns was the interaction between the two. Considering the was McGonagall refused to even look at him, there was definitely bad blood between the two.

Lord Ballentine headed over to Mr. Potter and introduced himself personally. Giving them a few minutes to settle, Howards broke in.

"Now that everyone has arrived, we can commence reading the will of James Potter." Howards announced, leading everyone into the conference room.

For the meeting Lois had rearranged the conference room. There was a medium sized circular table in the front which held the sealed will of James Potter, a wooden box, and a reviewer stand. A single chair sat behind it.

In front of it were five chairs lined up in a semicircle with two more behind them.

Howards walked up to the table as the rest of the group took their seats. Going from left to right was Tonks, Mr. Potter, McGonagall, Lupin, and Lord Ballentine.

Holding up the sealed envelope Howards read "This is the official and sealed will of James Richard Potter. Dated August 5th 1981."

Laying it back on the table, he broke the seal and watched as it glowed gold.

"I, James Richard Potter, of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter, being of sound mind and body, declare this to be my last will and testament. I revoke all wills and codicils previously made by me.

I appoint Sirius Orion Black as my personal representative to administer this will. If he is unable to serve, I then appoint the office of Mills, Lowback, and Nott to serve as my personal representative.

I direct my personal representative to pay out of my estate all of my personal and legal expenses. I have elected to give my bequests through reviewer. "

Howards then pulled off a key attached to the document and opened the box on the table. Pulling out the reviewer, he placed it onto the stand, activated it, and moved to the open chair in the second row.

This was a first for Rebecca, she had never sat in on a magical will reading. As the reviewer activated, a holographic image of James Potter came out. The similarity between father and son was quite striking.

"To my wife Lady Lily Marie Potter, I leave our house in Godric's Hollow, 200 gallons a month is to be deposited into her account, and the custody of my heir Harry James Potter. To whom I leave everything not mentioned in the following. All of which should be left in the care of Lily Potter until he comes of age.

I'm sorry I left you but you know I would do it again in a heartbeat if it kept the two of you safe. Remember what we talked about, after a respectable time of mourning, you know like 5 years," He said with an exaggerated wink, "carry on with your life and be happy. Also, let the Marauders have at the prongslet every once in a while.

To Minerva McGonagal, l leave my mother's transfiguration journals. I hope you are able to finish your project Aunt Minni," he said with a cheeky grin. "The journals are to be returned to the Potter family vault on her passing.

I also leave in her care my personal research into the animagus process. I've had a lot of time on my hands and I think I've come up with a faster way to achieve the transformation. I would appreciate it if you would give it a look over and have it published in the journals. I think you'll be quite proud Aunt Minni.

To Uncle Richard, I leave my 1925 Clean Sweep and my 1840 Comet. Maybe Harry will someday share our appreciation for broomsticks and you can introduce him to the broomstick club.

Goodness knows the little daredevil enjoys a good spin around the livingroom on his toy broomstick. I think he's already given me a gray hair or two". He said giving his head a little pat. "But at least I'll be young and beautiful forever right Padfoot?" He smirked as if he didn't achieve this through death. He probably would have aged nicely, the handsome devil.

"To Sirius Black, I leave my half of our flat, my personal journals, you know what to do with them, and my Harley. Don't you dare do what you did to yours! It hasn't run the same sense!" he shouted with outrage.

"Look after my Lily love and prongslet, Padfoot. They are going to need you. I know it's scary but I need my brother to step up and look after them." She heard a grunt come out of Lupin in the corner and couldn't blame him.

"You once asked me if it was worth it, Yes, even now." He said with a sharp little grin. Catching movement she saw Tonks put an arm around Harry. Good, the child could use some comfort and support. This would be hard for an adult, let alone a thirteen year old.

"To Remus Lupin, I leave 200,000g. No take backs Moony! Use the money when you need to and when this war is over, write that book you've been talking about.

Finally, to my friend Peter Pettigrew. If by some miracle you survived the attack, know that I forgive you. And I leave 100,000g and my shares of Zonkos. I know you held on to the secret as long as you could Wormtail.

However, it's more likely that you are up here with me. In which case, I would like to use that $100,000g to start a Peter Pettigrew scholarship for any Hogwarts student that needs an extra helping hand. The criteria for and selection of the students are to be made by Lily Potter and Minerva McGonagall."

What! Did James Potter just imply that Pettigrew was the secret keeper, not Black? Did Black have a legitimate reason to go after him? At least keeping the aurors in the room was coming in handy. Taking a glance at Harry, she saw he had processed that bit as well. For someone so small and unassuming, he could be quite intimidating when he got angry. Speaking of angry, Lupin seemed to be so angry he was growling.

"Lastly to my heir, Harry James Potter, I leave my memory box. It is to be kept in the possession of my account manager Goldfeather and each orb is to be delivered on his birthday.

I love you all and hope you remember me fondly. But don't forget to live your life. I'll need some kind of entertainment up here." With one more exaggerated wink, the hologram disappeared.

"While everyone is signing their acknowledgement of receipt, I would like to speak with aurors Kingsley and Tonks in my office. Rebecca, please stay with Mr. Potter." Howards announced before heading out of the room.

Notes:

1. I am so sorry for the long wait. Life has been a little crazy and I haven't had the time/inspiration to write.

2. However, I fully plan to finish this story.

3. For those who asked, there isn't a relationship planned in this story for Harry. He is going to be 13 for most of it.

4. I appreciate everyone who left a review. It really does help encourage me.

5. I debated whether or not to post this. I wanted to give you the full reading but I also wanted to give you an update. The plan is to have the second half posted in early Feb.

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