Chapter 14: Calling Out the BIG Guns
Harry left and went to the first place that he could think of knowing that no matter what no one would be able to bother him. Hogwarts was disserted as he entered, and went directly to the Chamber of Secrets. The basilisk though killed over 3 years ago would still have parts that could still be used in potions. Working steadily his anger drew away, and he thought of how he was going to accomplish his goals.
Cassius, Luna, and Severus left all thinking of possible locations on where Harry went. Though Luna had a pretty good idea, sometimes a person needed a little time to their self to cool off. After all three searched for an hour Severus called it off, "He'll only be found when he is ready." They split up after that. Cassius and Luna continued with the lessons, and Severus went to call in many a favor from a powerful old man.
Arriving at Hogwarts Severus went straight to the Headmaster's office ready to vent all the pent up anger and worry he had. Dumbledore though happy to see Severus for any occasion, was troubled that he had showed up in his office on a day that he should be home celebrating. "Severus, my boy to what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?"
"We have a problem Albus, a very big problem. Harry is missing, and before you completely panic let me explain why we are not currently searching for him. He was angry about the ministry's decision on the adoption of Harry and Dudley. Dudley is now known as Cassius Damien Snape. Harry on the other hand is still known as Harry James Potter. The family service magistrate said that there was no way the wizarding world would not allow a known death eater as me or anyone that has a dark mark gets any control over the Boy-Who-Lived. Harry's temper got the better of him so he broke a rule that he probably did not even realize. He apparated out of the Ministry and disappeared. We searched for about an hour, getting no closer to where he could be. I figured that he would show back up eventually if we just gave him the time he needed to blow off some steam."
Dumbledore did not take kindly to what the magistrate said about Severus. "Severus I want you back at Privet Dr. so that when ever the boy does show up you are there. I will handle the ministry of magic. Not to worry. You will have a son one way or the other." Severus nodded and left after giving Fawkes a gentle pat on the head. Dumbledore threw some floo powder into the fire just as he left the office.
"Minister Fudge"
"Dumbledore, what an unexpected fire call…is there anything I can do for you?"
"Yes you can explain to me why Harry Potter has disappeared, and why his adoption did not go through."
"Simple, Albus, simple. The wizarding world would be up in arms about a death eater having custody of the Boy-Who-Lived. We must keep the public happy."
"You want to keep the public happy? Have you just forgotten that you have pissed off the only other person Voldemort has not defeated in a head to head competition other than me? Are you trying to make the boy turn away from the wizarding world? He barely cares about it anymore."
Fudge paled at the last sentence. "Y-Y-You mean that threat in the family law office wasn't just a threat there was some truth to his statement?"
"What statement?"
"Harry stated that he was through with the wizarding world, and that they could defend themselves when he found out the decision."
"Things are going bad to worse for you Minister. We can't find the boy and the quake we felt earlier this month and today were both caused by him." About that time Fawkes burst into the room carrying a letter that he dropped on the minister's head. Then he left just as he came blazing away in flames. Minister Fudge glanced at Dumbledore with questions in his eyes. "I don't know who sent that, but I suggest you open it. We know its safe because Fawkes delivered it. No worries there."
Fudge took Dumbledore's word on it and opened the letter. There was a strong compulsion charm that immediately went into affect. It was a reading charm, and the Minister could find no way to get stop it.
Last Will and Testament of Sirius Orion Black
I, Sirius Orion Black, being of sound mind and body do hereby …
In the honor of all wills made by wizards and witches alike I would first like to make this statement so that it can be made record as the truth. I never was the secret keeper for the Potter family. I was just the decoy for Peter Pettigrew, who was named the true secret keeper. Peter Pettigrew is also a known animagus and takes the form of a rat. His identifying markers are a silver paw, and another paw with a missing finger. If seen please capture him and see that justice is done. Now to the fun things:
Remus Lupin a known werewolf is to be executor of the estate, and to receive a stipend of 1 million gallons for every year that we have been friends. That should come out to 25 million gallons.
This letter should not show up unless there is an issue of my godson, legal status if he is not of age yet. He is to be emancipated if a guardian to his liking is not found or turned away for any reason.
All property of the Black Family, past or present, that may have been confiscated illegally, is to go to my godson Harry James Potter.
As you have probably noticed the compulsion charm that I put on my will. That is not the only charm. Once this will is read by an upstanding member of the Ministry of Magic my wishes shall be carried out expeditiously. Nothing should be able to break this binding contract.
Albus could not help but chuckle as Sirius Black got the last laugh of the ministry. "I really do pity you Minister. If I know Mr. Black a copy of his will, and the same charms were sent to the Daily Prophet. I suggest a statement to be made right away. You now have an independently wealthy wizard who the press loves. When they find out that you denied Harry his wishes, and he has disappeared you will be in big trouble."
Dumbledore stood up and chuckled loudly. "I hope that you know what you are doing Minister Fudge." He flooed out and went around to Mr. Lovegood's. That lovely newspaper could use the opportunity for the free publicity, and Harry has always trusted them.
Owls not two hours later were seen flying across the country in serious flight. A copy of a convicted convict's will was the front page, and the consequences that said will reading had garnered. It was enough to say that the ministry went on high alert barely an hour later to block the owls that were being sent in response to the article. Minister Fudge sat in his office cold and pale. The response was scary, and it was just the beginning. He should have checked the letter that blasted bird delivered. His career is over, because he forgot the first lesson that he ever had when he became minister all those years ago. Keep the powerful happy, and then worry about the public.
It had been hours since he started harvesting potion ingredients. The gathering had gone very well. Already he planned a letter in his head that he was going to write to inform the ministry what was going to happen to Harry Potter. The fact of the matter was that he had Snape blood, and there was nothing that the ministry could do about that. Harry Potter was going to publicly disappear in a fit of rage. Quickly, picking up the pace now that he made some decisions, he wanted to hurry and finish so he could go back to Privet Dr. and let the others know what he had decided. Fawkes interrupted those plans; he delivered a special edition of the Quibbler.
Reading through it quickly he smiled. His godfather had managed to be vindicated even though he was gone. They no longer had to catch a certain rat to have him cleared of the false charges he was accused of years ago. The emancipation, and the reason the will came to light would tie into the letter that he had already planned. Luna would love the fact that her father's paper was the one graced with the coup. Minister Fudge would pay for being so overzealous. Things were looking up, and its just the beginning.
A/N: Another chapter, and you didn't have to wait a whole month or longer for it. I have decided that you would appreciate shorter chapters, and more timely updates. So I am cutting some the content out of my original plans. Do not worry. The content will be picked up in the next chapter. I need help with writing a prophecy coming up in a few chapters. I will be selecting two/three people to help, and the best one that fits with the story will be the one I choose. Thank you all for the reviews, and please remember that they help me to keep writing.
P.S. It has been pointed out to me that my chapters are numbered very helter-skelter, and I have plans to correct that.