"It's official. Lucius Malfoy has been charged with the crime of being a Death Eater."
This statement was met much celebration from the crowded table in the kitchen of the Burrow. Hermione continued reading from the newspaper once it was quieter. "However, his wife and son, Narcissa and Draco Malfoy, have been let off due to there being inconclusive evidence. It is believed that both were held captive in their own home by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and were not allowed to leave under any circumstances. There has also been some question as to whether or not she will receive an award for her brave actions in her lying to You-Know-Who about the death of Harry Potter. An award for her brave actions? She only lied to Voldemort so she could get into the castle to find Draco. Pathetic."
"In saying that though dear, what she did probably saved Harry's life. But you are right, she doesn't deserve an award for it."
"Oh, I agree that she probably saved his life Mrs Weasley, but the fact that they're even considering giving her an award? Absolute rubbish."
"Hermione, we all agree with you. Now put the paper –" but Ron was interrupted by an exclamation from Hermione.
"Oh my God! How in the Merlin?! Oh that is it! The bug is out of the jar now!" Only Harry and Ron understood what she meant, but this understanding filled them both with dread.
"Uh, what's she done this time?"
"Written a supposed interview expose with you, Harry! Apparently she spoke to you yesterday!"
"I didn't see her yesterday. In fact, I haven't spoken to any reporters. You don't think she is up to her old tricks again, do you?"
"You'd think that me threatening to tell the ministry her little secret would keep her quiet but clearly not! The woman is an idiot! Merlin's beard! That's it, this is the last we'll hear of her!"
"Hermione, would you mind explaining who exactly you are on about?"
"Why of course Mr Weasley! None other than that Rita Skeeter bitch! Well, this is the last time she writes any kind of story! I'm going to tell the ministry she is an unregistered, and therefore, illegal Animagus!" There were shocked gasps around the whole table. Sure, Skeeter wasn't the best reporter but surely she wasn't involved in illegal activity. "That's how she gets her stories. She takes the form of a beetle and she can then listen in on conversations. She is a filthy little insect! Oh, she is going to rue the day she decided to go against my warning!" Ron eventually calmed her down enough to take upstairs to his room, so he could calm her down properly. The rest of the table sat in silence, and then started new conversation.
"Mr Weasley?"
"Yes, Harry? Is something the matter?"
"Well, I've just had a thought. I haven't checked on my vault in ages, and I also need to see Sirius' vault, as he has left that to me. Do you think there'll be time today to go and look?"
"Well, I have to go to Diagon Alley to finish up the, um, uh, the plans for Friday. But we'd definitely have time to stop in at Gringrott's. Though, do you mind if we just walk out the front door, rather than escape on the back of a dragon?"
"I don't know, it'll be hard to resist the temptation, but I think I can manage it for." The table erupted in laughs.
A few hours later, Harry and Arthur were standing in Diagon Alley, outside Gringott's bank.
"Do you think they'll let me back in? Considering I broke in, and technically robbed a vault, not to mention, I stole their dragon."
"I think your reasoning behind all of that, as well as your actions of the past week, will be enough to allow you access to the bank and to your vaults, Harry."
The two men began walking up the stone steps towards the doors, when they opened and a goblin walked out.
"Ahh, Mr Potter. Come to see if we have another dragon for you to steal?"
"No, not today…?"
"Clayton. My name is Clayton."
"Well, Clayton, I'm here to enquire about my vault. Just want to see how much money I have left." Harry said this last part with a chuckle, as he knew that he would still have quite a wealth sitting in his vault."
"Of course, Mr Potter. If you and Mr Weasley would like to follow me, we can get started."
The two wizards followed the goblin into the bank and to a desk that held a plaque saying 'Clayton' on it. The goblin sat behind the desk and gestured for the two men to sit in the opposing chairs. He then summoned a folder and started looking through it.
"So, Mr Potter, you wish to see into your vault. What about your other vaults?"
"My other vaults? I only have one vault. The same one I went into in my first year."
"You are incorrect, sir. There is of course your vault you've always known about, but there is also the Potter vault, the Black vault, your trust fund, and the vault of Sirius Black, which has been left to you. You've also been named as the executor of a vault opened by Remus Lupin for his son, Theodore Remus Lupin, and the Lupin vault itself, also to be used for the aforementioned child."
"Oh. Wow, okay. Was not expecting all of that. So all but the last two vaults belong to me?"
"That is correct. Would you like to see them?"
"No. Are you able to find out the combined wealth of each one for me?"
"We can but it will take a few days to get the sum. We can owl you the amount once we know if you like."
"That would be fantastic. Thank you so much for your help Clayton."
"It is no worry whatsoever Mr Potter. You helped to save my good friend Griphook from the clasp of the Death Eaters. Though he did not survive this war, Harry Potter will always find an ally in the goblin community due to his selflessness."
Harry, still unaccustomed to receiving so much praise, said a meek thank you and left the bank, Arthur beside him. Once outside, Arthur interrupted the silence.
"You really had no idea about those vaults Harry?"
"No. I always thought it was just my vault. Actually, that's lie. I knew about Sirius', because it was in his will. Otherwise, I had no idea. Which makes me wonder what else I don't know about. Did my parents have a will?"
"I'm sure they would've Harry. How about I talk to the people in the Department of Births, Deaths and Marriages to see what they know, and we'll work on finding out everything you own."
"That would be great. Thank you Arthur."
"No worries, son."
The two apparated back to the Burrow where there was a lunch of sandwiches waiting for them. The next few days were filled with last minute plans for the upcoming funerals. They would begin with Fred's on Friday and conclude with Colin Creeevey's on the following Wednesday. Harry would be attending both of their funerals, as well as the joint funeral for Lupin and Tonks. He had received owls from various families asking him to attend the funerals of their relatives, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Part of him thought they only wanted him there to show him what had happened because he hadn't stopped Voldemort quickly enough, while another part believed they only wanted him there for the publicity of Harry Potter at your mother/brother/sister/cousin/aunt's funeral. And he definitely wasn't about to become a freak show.
Friday came too quickly for all of the occupants in the Burrow. George had locked himself in his room since early Thursday night, as had Molly. Fleur, Ginny and Hermione had had to look after meals for everyone. Arthur had spent the night in front of the door to Fred and George's room, hoping to Merlin that Fred was going to walk out and tell everyone it was just a tasteless prank he had pulled. The rest of the brothers and Harry had spent the night in the living room, sharing a never-ending bottle of Firewhisky. They were joined late in the night by the girls, and they'd all stayed there until the morning, when they heard the shower in Molly and Arthur's en suite start. The girls once again made breakfast, even though they held high doubts that anyone would actually eat. While they did this, Charlie dished out Pepper-Up Potions to make them all more awake after their all-nighter. Arthur was the first down the stairs, in his all-black dress robes, except for an orange tie. It had been decided that guests were to wear at least one bit of colour to the funeral, as Fred would've wanted his life to be celebrated, not mourned. It said so in his will, which had been found the Monday before. The rest of the boys followed suit, wearing all-black dress robes with a brightly-coloured tie. The girls, including Molly, all were black dresses but wore colourful shoes, scarves, belts or hats. In Ginny's case, she did all four, wanting to represent her big brother as much as she could. When George finally descended the stair case, five minutes before they were to leave, he wasn't in the uniform of his brothers, but rather in bright-red robes, with a yellow belt and orange hat. He looked like a firework almost. With his arrival, the Weasley family, plus their add-ons left for the first, and possibly the hardest, funeral.