Disclaimer: We all know how these work, I acknowledge that J.K. Rowlings, Warner Bros. and Scholastic own Harry Potter and all other characters and settings from cannon, and I get to write whatever I please and even add in characters of my own as long as I don't get any money. The no money sucks but there you go, at least I don't get lawyers knocking on my door.
Addendum: Any characters and or character names you recognize don't belong to me either.
A/N: This chapter was very difficult to produce and achieve the tone I wanted it to have as result I got a little behind schedule on writing future chapter so it may be a day or two before I update after this one.
Sirius' Savior
Chapter 24 The Wills
November 25, 1988
Grimjaw Trollslayer looked at the wizard and two witches in front of him and wondered why the duke would choose them as his allies. He sat there quietly watching to see if they had patience, if they spoke before two minutes had passed he would know they did not. His Grace needed patient allies because impatient ones could easily get His Grace and Lord Potter killed. Wizards in his experience wanted immediate gratification, humans were never patient creatures and had always wanted instant gratification but in wizards this trait was magnified somehow. When His Grace had been young he had been one of the worst of his kind. Alphard Black had been patient and understood order, he had taught his heir order but life, life had taught His Grace patience.
After three minutes of staring at each other across a desk Amelia spoke. "Grimjaw I know that you are the goblin in charge of the Black and Potter accounts. I know that the goblins have not accepted the Wizengamot's ruling that Sirius Black is a Death Eater and is an accessory to murder and kidnapper. I met Black in Japan four months ago and he gave me reasons to doubt it as well. He mentioned you. I was hoping that you could supply me with a copy of the Potter wills."
"Alas Madame Deputy I cannot supply you with a copy that would be a treaty violation."
Grimjaw waited to see if she caught the subtlety. She didn't but the werewolf wizard did.
"Grimjaw would it be a treaty violation for you to show me a copy of the Potter wills in your files?"
"It would not." Grimjaw nodded at his assistant. He looked closer at the werewolf. "You would be?"
"Remus Lupin."
"Ah, you would be the one His Grace wishes to be Steward over his properties here and in France. I recommended to him to get one, his father's house elf major domo isn't sufficient, the poor thing is old and the stress of his position is driving the poor little fellow to senility."
"Why do you refer to Sirius as His Grace Grimjaw? The Blacks are mere viscounts." Andromeda interjected.
Grimjaw handed Andromeda Tonks a family tree one that went back further then any she had seen growing up. Grimjaw's assistant handed him folded documents. "the Potter wills" he handed them to Remus.
Remus opened the smaller of the documents.
I, Lily Victoria Evans Potter, of Godric's Hollow Wales, declare this to be my will, and I revoke all prior wills and codicils that I have made.
Article I
All estate taxes, together with administrative expenses shall be paid out against the principal of my estate, not to exceed three percent and waive on behalf any attempts to recover those expenses of behalf of my heirs.
Article II
I give all tangible personal property except the contents of my vault 1005 that I own at my death, to my husband James Tiberius Potter if he is living. If not I give it to my son Harry James Potter to be held in trust at Gringott's the cost of moving and storage of said property will be paid by my estate as a just administrative expense.
I leave the contents of my personal vault 1005 to Harry James Potter to be place in his trust vault #817 at my death, access to said vault to be granted when he turns 11.
Article III
I name James Tiberius Potter as my executor if he for any reason is unable to fulfill this role, I name Ironclaw of Gringott's Bank & Goblin Trust and Alice Louise Symthe Longbottom as co-executors.
Article IV
In the event of my death while Harry James Potter is a minor, custody resides with his father James Tiberius Potter. If he is also deceased or otherwise incapacitated custody goes to the following people in the following order: Sirius Orion Black, Alice Louise Symthe Longbottom, Minerva McGonagall, Filius Flitwick. Under no circumstances is he to ever be placed with Petunia Marie Evans Dursley.
Article V
In the event Harry James Potter is orphaned, with the deaths of myself and my husband James Tiberius Potter the responsibility of the financial trusts will be held by his Guardian and Ironclaw or his chosen successor until Harry James Potter comes of age.
I, Lily Victoria Evans Potter, signed this will August 10, 1980.
Lily Victoria Evans Potter
On this date August 10, 1980, we witnessed Lily Victoria Evans Potter sign the foregoing document and act as witnesses that she is of sound mind and of free will and that these are her own intentions.
Sirius Orion Black
Alice Louise Symthe Longbottom
Ironclaw
Remus nodded as he finished it. Lily's will was exactly what he would have expected. He passed the will to Amelia to read. He opened James' will. Unlike Lily's will James' was written in his own hand. A feeling of nostalgia lightly tinged with grief swept over Remus. Shoving it aside Remus read James' will.
I James Tiberius Potter, Earl of Gryffindor, Viscount of Riderscroft, Baronet of Hogsmeade being of sound mind and body declare this to be my last will and testament revoking all previous wills and codicils. All estate taxes not to exceed two and three quarter percent and administrative fees not to exceed half a percent of the total estate value per year will be paid by my estate and I waive the right to these fees on behalf of my heirs. To my good friend Remus Lupin I leave 10,000 galleons a year. Sorry it can't be more but ministry strictures on werewolves being what they are. This way you'll be able to afford that new potion. To Sirius Orion Black I leave my Bachelor's Apartment in London floo address "stag's loft" on the condition he share it with Remus and half my shares of Zonko's Joke Shop. To our secret keeper, Peter Pettigrew I leave half my shares of Zonko's Joke Shop and Blackthorne cottage on the outskirts of Hogsmeade. To Albus Dumbledore as the leader of Order of the Phoenix and for the use of the Order I leave 400,000 galleons conditional on his return of my invisibility cloak to the Potter estate said cloak can be identified when touched by it's rightful owner as it was spelled to by Ignotus Pevrell. To Frank and Alice Longbottom and my godson Neville I grant the deed to Jasper Commons Magical Horticulture. I was truly honored to be named Neville's godfather and I give this to encourage the earth elemental magic gift I sense he has. To my greatest treasure, my wife Lily Victoria Evans Potter I leave the Cottage in Godric's Hollow, and a widow's pension of 60,000 galleons a year and my wedding ring. My son, Harry James Potter inherits the remainder of my estate including: Gryffindor Abbey and its lands, Potter Manse and its farms, Riderscroft Manor, Thistle cottage, and all lands owned by the Potter family but held in trust as part of the Foundation for the Betterment of Wizarding Society, all personal property not otherwise assigned (See attached list), all stock in Cleensweep Broom Company, Thompson's Wizarding Trunks, Flourish and Blott's, Daily Prophet, Hylands Apothecary, Twillfit & Tattings, Three Broomsticks the content's of the Potter Family Vault #504(see attached inventory) the contents of my personal vault #725 (See attached list). I name Templeton Peck, the Potter family barrister, and Ironclaw of Gringott's Bank and Goblin Trust as co-executors. In the event of my death Lily Victoria Evans Potter has custody of my son and control over the seats in the Wizengamot, Hogwarts Board of Governors, St. Mungo's Board of Governors, and the Chair position of the Foundation for the Betterment of Wizarding Society. In the event she is deceased as well, Harry James Potter will be placed with the following people in the following order Sirius Orion Black his Godfather, Alice Louise Symthe Longbottom his Godmother, Minerva McGonagall, then Filius Flitwick under no circumstances is he to be placed with his maternal relatives Petunia and Vernon Dursley. Harry James Potter's Guardian will have a stipend of 400 galleons a month for Harry's health and welfare. The seats and his finances will be managed by agreement among his trustees made up of his Guardian, Ironclaw or his chosen successor, and Templeton Peck. As the last Potter, Harry James Potter will inherit a great responsibility and according to the end of line clause (Wizarding Constitution year 1672) when he becomes an adult at 17, he will take on the full duties as Head of the Ancient and Noble house of Potter. To prepare him for this he will receive access to the various vaults on a time line, #1020 Access at age 5 monthly stipend 25 galleons starting age 1 #817 Access at age 11 stipend 1000 per quarter starting age 1 #725 Access at 15 no stipend, #504 Access at age 17. At age 15 he is to be given guidance into his future role in the Wizengamot, As he will take his place in the Wizengamot at 17 rather than the usual age 25.
This is my last will and Testament
James Tiberius Potter
Witnessed this the 27th day of October, 1981 by
Franklin Oliver Longbottom
Albus Brian Percival Wulfric Dumbledore
Ironclaw
Remus finished reading James will and frowned. Albus knew James wishes but he had sealed the wills. It was callus and selfish of him, but he thought about the difference having a place to live since he knew Sirius wouldn't need the loft and had probably only been left it because he would let Remus live there thereby getting around werewolf ownership laws. The difference that the money and the Wolfsbane could have had made for him. It made him want to howl in fury. Then it struck him in his will James told who his secret keeper was. Albus knew that as well. Growling he handed the second will to Amelia, and to distract himself he said to Grimjaw "Steward?"
"Yes His Grace has seven large properties between France and England and his ward has several more. He has requested that I hire a steward to visit his properties and those of his ward. The steward would also be expected to keep current of events that would affect His Grace's interests here and in France. He is aware of your affliction and is aware that due to ministry regulation you are limited to travel here in the UK and France,due to your dual citizenship. I think you will find what he has written into the contracts quite advantageous. Four days off surrounding the full moon and a supply of wolfsbane every month, room and board and any required travel expenses and a salary that is generous certainly enough to replace those...clothes. You will keep in touch with Mrs. Tonks as she will be voting His Grace's interests with the Wizengamot and on the Hogwarts board. Lord Malfoy will be put out that he no longer controls two seats on that board."
Andromeda meanwhile had traced the family heritage back to Charlemagne and was sitting somewhat stunned. "He is a duke Remus."
Amelia put the second will down. "How could he justify what he's done? According to Sirius, Hagrid was going to take Harry to his aunt and uncle's yet the wills of both parents clearly forbid such a thing. And you, Mr. Lupin to deprive you. It names Peter Pettigrew as secret keeper, he disappeared in June 1982 his apartment was trashed and there was blood but no body and there was no motive that we could determine. That Albus said nothing at Sirius' mockery of a trial! If I could have a copy of these two documents I could do a fair amount of housecleaning at the ministry and clear His Grace."
"Alas Madame the documents cannot leave the bank they are private files for internal use only. To allow them out of the bank represents a treaty violation, and the last thing any of us desire is a war between Wizards and Goblins I have already bent the rules as far as I can. Somehow the Ministry must be forced to unseal the wills."
Remus took the job offer and visited the various properties belonging to Sirius and Harry. He found himself at a loss of how he should bridge the emotional distance between himself and Sirius created by his previous belief in Sirius' guilt in the death of James and Lily. He was afraid even to try. He sent reports of his findings. He sent a report that Dumbledore himself voted the Potter Wizengamot seat that he had appointed Elphias Doge to the Hogwarts board seat and another old friend to the 's seat and had taken the Chairperson of the foundation seat for himself. Templeton Peck, The Potter Family Solicitor, he discovered was missing. He had last been seen on Oct. 29, 1981 and his partner Hector M. Murdock didn't have the initiative to do anything with the Potter files so Remus asked Amelia for a recommendation for a new wizarding solicitor for the Potter and Black families.
Andromeda was happy that she could help her cousin by voting the Black seats but found herself on the outskirts of society and influence because her marriage to Ted distanced her from the pureblood families and her maiden name distanced her from anyone else. Only Amelia seemed willing to socialize with her.
Amelia was able to make some progress. She contacted Lady Augusta Longbottom and started encouraging her out of the isolation that Lady Augusta had lived in except for Wizengamot meetings. Inviting Lady Longbottom and Neville to small gatherings at their London flat or the cozy country cottage that Susan had inherited from her parents. After five months she had found out that Augusta had withdrawn from public life to fend off suggestions that she wouldn't be a good guardian for Neville because she was too involved in public life. Amelia traced the rumors to their source Albus Dumbledore. Sirius would win his bet.