Things are getting better - less sad/numb Remus and sad/angry Sirius. :) I hope no one minds that I invented a lawyer… I don't really know my Wizarding lawyers… hell I don't even know if there ARE Wizarding lawyers.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. For more detail, feel free to read disclaimer in Chapter 1.

September 10, 2009

"Honestly Archie, I don't care if I have to kill the damn muggles myself! Find a bloody loophole, or my foot is going to find your arse hole! Comprende?"

The Archibald Fairweather was not an easy man to startle. He came from a large family, full of domineering personalities, and had learnt to deal with intimidating people. This same man was cowering in his dragon hide boots, seeming moments away from soiling himself in fright. The fuming Sirius Black was hurling expletives and books around the room, his anger and grief blinding him. Archie expertly ducked the flying literature hastily skimming through his thick tomes.

"Honestly! You're a bleedin' wizard Arch! There has to be a faster way then this!"

Sirius fell into his worn armchair with a loud huff. A cloud of dust rose into the air, swirling around in the rising sunlight. Archie coughed, partially in embarrassment and partially from the dust. He cast a quick tempus charm and smiled slightly.

"Ah yes, I nearly forgot."

"Forgot what?"

Archie and Sirius's heads whipped around, the quiet voice catching them both off guard. Remus Lupin stood in the doorway of the living room, clad his boxers and sweatshirt from last night. His eyes were cloudy and his hair was a rumpled mess, sticking up at all angles. He stifled a yawn and padded over to the unoccupied couch. He gingerly shoved the rumpled blankets off to one side, settling rather stiffly on the couch. Archie sent a questioning look at Sirius, one eyebrow raised, his thick moustache twitching.

"This must be Mr. Lupin?"

Remus flushed slightly under the tiny lawyer's appraising stare, suddenly realizing that he was underdressed.

"You can call me Remus if you'd like."

Archie forced a smile.

"That won't be necessary Mr. Lupin."

Sirius bounced impatiently in his chair, releasing a fresh cloud of dust into the air.

"What'd you forget Archie?"

Archie checked the time once more before rifling through the papers spread out on the slightly sticky coffee table. He found a large envelope and dislodged it carefully from the pile. He held it up triumphantly staring at it with a strange expression of relief. The other two men shared a look of confusion, glancing at each other and then back at Archie.

"Ha Ha! Here it is!"

"Here what is?"

Archie looked at both the men incredulously.

"Have you never seen a will before?"

Uncomfortable silence reigned for a few moments as everyone avoided eye contact. Once Sirius and Remus had composed themselves again they motioned for Archie to continue.

"It's 6 am."

Sirius rolled his eyes.

"What in Merlin's name does that have to do with anything?"

Archie sighed exasperatedly.

"Gringotts opens at 6 am."

"… and?"

"…And that means the will can be unsealed."

Sirius jumped to his feet. He hauled Remus up and pushed him in the direction of the bedroom. Remus stumbled back into the room, getting the hint that he was supposed to get dressed. Sirius hurriedly tied his hair back into a low ponytail, brushing the crumbs off his t-shirt. He bounced up and down on his heels impatiently, his feet already in his shoes. Remus could not get ready fast enough. He pulled his jeans back up over his thin legs, straightening out his sweater and his hair. He rushed back out of the bedroom and into the living room to find Sirius bobbing up and down in the living room. Sirius shifted nervously back and forth, lunging for the fireplace as soon as Remus appeared ready to leave.

Remus shuffled through the floo, his tired eyes burning with the dust kicked up by the heatless flames. He was bodily steered down the hallway the instant his feet touched the ground. The wolf growled its protest at being herded like cattle, but had little power so far from the moon. Remus did his utmost not to trip over his untied shoelaces as he was dragged along.

Sirius and Remus ground to a halt outside of the office. They both took a deep breath, briefly looking to the other for support. Sirius sent a weak smile Remus's way, squeezing the smaller mans calloused hand in his larger one for just a moment before letting go and moving through the open door.

Both men slid into their seats across from a rather intimidating goblin. This particular goblin seemed used to dealing with shows of human emotion, and had a very unsettling look of sympathy on its pointed, wrinkled face. It was highly unusual to see a goblin with anything other than a sneer on its face, so both men were slightly taken aback. Its grating voice broke the tense silence.

"Mr. Black, Mr. Lupin" the goblin's beady eyes sized up the men before it, entirely ignoring the presence of the tiny, well dressed lawyer. "I assume you are here to discuss Master Harry."

Remus mumbled "that's right" at the same time Sirius said "yes". Archie had to stifle his smirk from the corner of the room. The grizzled creature in front of them sent a cool glare his way and he promptly schooled his face into a calm mask.

"How much exactly do you two know about the situation?"

They both looked at each other puzzled for a moment before Sirius spoke.

"What situation?"