AN: Sorry for those wanting to see a big confrontation with the Dursleys, but for anyone interested I could write a one-shot about Remus collecting Harry. Just PM me and let me know.
Now on with the show!
Amelia Bones, director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, stared at the letter in her hand in disbelief. Sirius Black innocent? Evidence at Gringotts that couldn't be obtained without his presence at the will reading of Lily and James Potter? And to top all of that Laura Potter, the Potter's eldest child and supposedly dead sister of the Boy-Who-Lived, was alive! And demanding the presence of the man who had betrayed her parents at the reading of their wills. She couldn't wrap her head around it, but there it was in black and white:
Dear Madame Bones,
You and the rest of the Wizarding World have, for the last eight years, been under the impression that I am dead. I am writing this not only to assure you that I am very much alive but to ask you for a favor. You see, Sirius Black is innocent and I have cause to believe that evidence of this resides in my parents wills. I ask that you bring my godfather to Gringotts for the reading. I also ask that you don't bring any dementors, as there will be children as well.
Sincerely,
Laura Dorea Potter
The girl wanted her godfather at Gringotts, and the only way to get evidence for Black's trial - because he would be getting a trial, there was no way Amelia would allow him to continue to sit in Azkaban without one - so Amelia would take him to Gringotts. Without dementors.
Sirius Black sat stunned (figuratively) on the small boat taking him away from Azkaban for a temporary reprieve. Amelia Bones had just had him summoned on the grounds that he had been imprisoned without a trial and his presence was needed to collect evidence. He only hoped that this evidence would prove his innocence so that he could go find his godchildren. The Auror, who held no doubt of his guilt, heard him say this last thought allowed and grinned maliciously, saying,
"Godchild, actually. Laura Potter died with her parents."
Of course, the Auror, Dawlish, hadn't expected the reaction this news received. Instead of the barely concealed glee he had been anticipating, he saw overwhelming grief and was surprised to see the convict begin to sob. Laura, his sweet, precious Lorey, was dead along with his brother and his wife. He only hoped Harry was safe and happy.
Amelia raised a brow as her Auror led a sobbing Sirius Black onto the shore. The man shrugged and answered her unasked question,
"I told him Laura Potter was dead and he started crying."
Amelia was surprised for a moment before sighing and calling to Black,
"Mr. Black, my Auror was misinformed, along with the rest of the Wizarding World. Your goddaughter is very much alive and would like to see you."
Sirius looked up sharply, demanding desperately,
"Where is she?"
Amelia smiled sadly, any doubt she had about this man's innocence was quickly being eradicated as she watched him worry over the goddaughter he obviously adored.
"She's waiting for us at Gringotts."
Remus Lupin and his family were shocked when they were led into the side room for the will reading and saw a girl with auburn hair and amused hazel eyes sitting in a chair with her feet up on the table. She laughed and dropped them to the floor when the goblin shot her a reproachful look.
Laura had decided to forgo the cami and instead wore an acid green shirt that proclaimed in blood red letters 'You stab me in the back and I'll be pissed, I stab you in the back and you'll be screaming', though she still wore the leather pants and dragon hide boots. Her grin widened and she got to her feet when Remus whispered,
"Laura."
"The one and only." she answered with a smile as she pulled the werewolf into a hug. She felt the man shaking as he wrapped his arms around her and rubbed his back soothingly, "It's okay, Moony. I'm here, I'm safe. If it'll make you feel better I'll even let you keep me under lock down for a few weeks." this got the reaction she looking for. Moony snorted as he released her,
"Try for the rest of your life kid."
She pouted,
"But Moony! I've got to get out at some point!" she smirked, "Besides, I can't very well find a suitable husband if I'm locked up for the rest of my life, now can I?"
"All the more reason to do it, in my opinion." said a voice from the doorway. Laura looked over Remus's shoulder and squealed happily, ducking around the Marauder and into the waiting arms of her godfather,
"Padfoot!" she cried happily. The animagus smiled and held his goddaughter close. He sat down in the nearest chair and pulled her with him, forcing her onto his lap - not that she was complaining of course, she curled up there and burrowed further into the embrace.
"Merlin I missed you kiddo!" he exclaimed, burying his face in her hair, "They told me you were dead when they fetched me from Azkaban."
Laura huffed and sent a reproachful look to the head of the DMLE. The woman shrugged sheepishly,
"I forgot to inform the Auror assigned to 'fetching' him that you were alive."
Laura rolled her eyes before letting them roam the room. She was content to stay where she was until she caught sight of her brother and godsisters cowering in Remus's robes.
"Moony," she asked quietly, "would you please explain to me exactly why my brother and your daughters look like they're afraid of every adult around them."
Remus sighed warily and sank down in a chair, pulling the girls in question onto his lap, wrapping his arms around them,
"The muggles Albus placed them with -" Laura held up a hand, cutting him off,
"Say no more, Moony." she sighed despondently, nuzzling her godfather's cheek before slipping out of his arms and onto the floor, kneeling in front of her brother with her arms open,
"Harry, sweetheart, I'm your big sister Laura. Can I have a hug?"
Everyone watched sadly as the boy nodded hesitantly before stepping into the embrace and allowing his sister's arms to envelope him. She picked him up and sat down, placing him in her lap. She looked at Griphook and nodded,
"Alright, Griphook, we're all here. Go ahead and read them."
He inclined his head, pulling a scroll seemingly from out of nowhere and said,
"Your parents decided that, since they both agreed on where their belongings should go, that it would be easier to just write one will between the two of them." when Laura gestured impatiently for him to continue, he began to read,
"We, James Charlus Potter-Prewett and Lily Jasmine Prewett nee Evans, being of sound mind and body, hereby declare this to be our last will and testament.
Regarding the placement of our children Laura and Harry, they are to go to one of the following with a monthly stipend of 20,000 galleons to care for Laura and Harry until they come of age ,
Sirius Black and Remus Lupin
Frank and Alice Longbottom
Arthur Weasley
Fabian Prewett
Gideon Prewett
Amelia Bones
Minerva McGonagall
Filius Flitwick
Pomona Sprout
Under NO circumstances are they to go to my sister Petunia Dursley and her husband Vernon.
On to the money and all our earthly possessions!
To Sirius Black and Remus Lupin, we leave 400,000 galleons apiece and our home in Greece.
To Peter Pettigrew, if we were betrayed and Voldemort found us, we leave nothing to you traitor, but evidence for the trial to get you thrown in Azkaban.
To Arthur Weasley, we leave you 400,000 galleons. We also ask that you get a divorce. We know her brothers are brilliant blokes, but Molly is bad news. Request Gringotts to test you for spells and potions.
To Fabian Prewett, we leave 400,000 galleons and say that it's time to come out of hiding. Our kids need you, love. ~ James
To Gideon Prewett, we once again leave 400,000 galleons and say ditto to the twin. I'm only sorry that we couldn't have any children. ~ Lily
To Laura, we leave you a small dowry and a vault for when you come of age and a letter telling the truth behind your parentage.
To Harry, we leave you all our remaining assets and ask that your sister read the letter explanation when she deems you old enough."
Laura ground her teeth together and bit out,
"No need for the letter. I can get the persons concerned here in about twenty minutes."
She looked at Griphook questioningly,
"Permission to leave long enough to get them?"
The goblin nodded and she got to her feet, depositing Harry in her godfather's lap as she swept from the room.
Laura was seething. The two men she had considered her uncles her entire life were actually related to her. One was her father and one was really her uncle! She snarled under her breath, scaring pedestrians as she passed. She was going to murder those two! What was sure to be a mental tirade came to a stop when she literally ran into someone while leaving the bank. She looked up to see a handsome young man about her age looking at her fearfully. She gave him a questioning look, following his gaze as he darted his eyes to the beautiful woman beside him. Her expression hardened as she grabbed his arm and dragged him out of the woman's earshot.
"What happened?" she demanded flatly. He flinched and her eyes softened,
"I'm sorry. Just tell me what happened. I'll help you."
He looked fleetingly at the woman and muttered shakily,
"She killed my father last night and now she's come to have his will read."
Laura raised a brow; she looked him over and nodded her head decisively.
"You're coming with me. Stay here for a minute while I go talk to the goblins. They'll detain her until we can you in a room with Madame Bones. Okay?"
He nodded jerkily, watching as she walked away.
Michael's head was spinning with confusion. When he'd gotten out of the shower this morning it was to discover that the bitch had murdered his father. Then she had ordered him to get dressed and when asked the circumstances of his father's death to lie and say that they had been attacked in the night. His 'mother' had been safely hidden in the room she shared with his father while the two of them had defended the Manor. Then, when they had gotten here, he had run into an irate witch he had been sure was going to curse him, only to have her be nice and offer to help him. Speaking of the witch, she was coming back with two armed goblins. She pointed in his 'mother's' direction and they went over to her, one point a sword to her back and the other telling her to follow quietly. She did so with a fearful look on her face. When the goblins disappeared from sight, Michael turned back to the witch who'd temporarily saved him from his father's fate to see her wearing a smug smile.
"Excuse me," he said timidly. She turned back to him, a concerned look on her pretty face, " but who are you?"
She smiled, holding out a hand.
"Laura Potter-Prewett apparently. You?"
He accepted the offered limb cautiously,
"Michael Angelus. What do you mean 'apparently'?"
She grinned ruefully,
"I didn't find out about the Prewett part until today at my father's will reading."
He winced,
"I'm sorry."
She waved it off and smiled kindly at him,
"I'm off to find my other father and his twin right now. When we get back to the room with the rest of my family I'll have someone check you over. Okay?"
He nodded again, following her back into the Alley,
"Sure. Other father?" he asked curiously. Laura shrugged,
"Again, I didn't find out about 'til today. We'll have to ask when we find Fabian and Gideon. How old are you anyway?"
"Thirteen. You?"
"Thirteen. Go to school?"
"I'm in Slytherin House at Hogwarts. You? I've never seen you before."
She shook her head,
"That's because I don't go to school. I'm going to be Sorted this summer though and will attend next year. Say, Michael?"
"Yeah, Laura?"
"If I'm not in Slytherin, can we still be friends?"
Michael looked startled for a moment, then a huge grin lit his face,
"Sure. Why are we going down Knockturn Alley?"
She rolled her eyes,
" 'Cause that's where tweetledumb and tweetledumber are hiding."
"Oi!" objected a quiet voice from the shadows. Two red headed men came out of no where and approached them.
"We resent…" began the one on the left.
"… that, Bambi…." continued the one on the left.
"Who's your friend?" they finished together. Laura smirked at them,
"That, my dear daddy and uncle, is none of your concern at the moment, but to sate your curiosity before you die - his name is Michael Angelus."
Both men had paled when she began speaking and had gotten even paler as she continued. They now resembled two animated corpses.
"H-How did you find out?" they stuttered. She smiled sweetly,
"Well, if you two arseholes would pay attention to your mail you would have noticed the letter informing you of the date and time of the will reading for Lily and James Potter."
The two men rubbed the back of their necks sheepishly,
"You see, pet, there's a perfectly logical explanation for that…"
Laura raised a brow,
"Then the two of you won't mind coming with us and telling the others this perfectly logical explanation." she suggested mockingly. They winced and nodded,
"Alright, lead the way."
She glared at them and turned on her heel, walking briskly back to the bank, Michael on her heels. Fabian and Gideon exchanged a look, then shrugged and followed after the two teens.