Chapter 9: The Last Will and Testament

A flap of wings, followed by a strong swoosh sound could be heard emanating from the window before a creature of pure white, as if from heaven, flew into the room: circled high around the dinner hall at Potter Manor, dive bombed towards a now startled Richard with hawk-like pace, pulling out of the dive and gliding to the shoulder blades of Harry – who had tears streaming down his face as he watched Richard swear repeatedly in a myriad of languages.

"I'm glad you find this very amusing, Master Harry," said Richard sarcastically as he finished his swear storm.

"I would have thought it would be you that might take me to an early grave with all the worrying I do over you, but it seems this bloody bird has its own plan," moaned Richard.

The snowy owl chirped into Harry's ear, bringing attention to herself, and extending its talons to give Harry the letter clutched in them.

Harry gently took Hedwig's talons, and got the letter from Gringotts, he wondered why it wasn't a Gringotts owl that delivered it, but he immediately noticed a tinge of red on the envelop as well as feathers on Hedwig's talons. He raised an inquisitive eyebrow at his familiar but only got a hoot as if saying, 'not sorry' from his owl who then decided to take off with half the bacon on his plate.

Not knowing how to reply to his owl's typical behaviour, he went ahead and opened the letter proceeding to read its contents.

Dear Lord. Harry J Potter-Black,

We, at Gringotts, would like to formally give our condolences for the death of your parents. We now find it imperative that you come for the last Will and Testament of said Mr. and Mrs Potter scheduled for next week Friday, the 25th of this month at 10:30 AM. If you have any questions or need a portkey to come, do not hesitate to contact us.

On another note, Welcome back home, Mr Potter.

As always May your gold continue to grow, and your enemies behead themselves upon your blade.

Bearclaw

Wills and Probate Department

Ragnock

Director of Gringotts Bank, London.

"I see Master Harry that Gringotts have finally contacted you," said Richard as he spied over Harry's shoulder the contents of the letter.

"This would have been done much earlier if it wasn't for Dumbledore."

"Of course, Master Harry, at least you now get to see their last words to you."

"I suppose"

He quickly ate the rest of his breakfast, intending to go and train before continuing his work in the caves.

"Activate Battlefield Mode"

Richard nodded as he punched in the commands in the control room.

At Potter Manor, a customized sort of 'Room of Requirement' had been created by Harry and his adopted Father, Sirius. His brilliance in the art of magic had enabled him to create such a room in the old dungeons of Potter Manor after having heard from Hermione about the Room of Requirement back in Hogwarts. The people of Britain were under the delusion that in all the years of his life after having left Britain to go across the pond to the States, he'd never been back. But that was far from the truth. He'd occasionally come to Britain and even been to Hogwarts. But in disguise. Always under intense glamor charms and muggle make-up as well as with different identities. During the Triwizard tournament, that had been prematurely cancelled after the death of Cedric Diggory in the hands of the dragon as well as the severe injuries for the other contestants: Fleur Delacour and Viktor Krum, he'd gone and visited the famed 'Room of Requirement' and had been lucky to get the schematics of the room. Most of which he didn't really quite understand but had gleamed just enough information to begin his project of making his own 'ROR'.

Hermione was a distant relative of his butler, Richard Pennyworth. Her father and him were related on his maternal side and they'd met each other during their time in the army and grew close then. Ever since he was small, he'd basically grown with her as she visited in the summer holidays and some winters as her family would come to the States to meet with Richard. She was his best friend.

He'd met her in his disguise as Leo, a student from Beauxbatons, but he'd feigned not understanding English to avoid her as he knew she'd recognise him if given time.

Richard watched as lights flared in the room with Harry practically all over the place as he apparated, dodged and battled the dozens of dummies. He cared for the boy, but his charge's heart had been so full of vengeance in the years that his godparents had been murdered in front of him. He'd even abandoned the use of magic entirely: citing that, "If magic couldn't even let me do a thing as Sirius died then there is no use for it."

It was only when he returned from his disappearance of at least two years that he tentatively began using it again.

BOOOM! Richard swiftly pulled himself from his thoughts as he saw the whole area of the room covered in smoke. He held his breath as he waited for it to dissipate, he hoped Harry hadn't gone to far this time and overpowered the room. The smoke finally cleared to reveal Harry in the centre of the room, his sweatshirt blown to bits and all the dummies generated by the room incinerated.

He could see the large bat wings tattoo all over his back as Harry turned around the room, surprise all over his face as he saw all his opponents done.

"Level Complete," said a robotic female voice over the rooms' speakers.

"What the bloody hell was that Master Harry?"

"That, Richard, was a new spell I wanted to try out that causes a flash bang in the room and in the recesses of the mind of those its targeted to."

"I see. Your brilliance never ceases to amaze me, Master Harry."

"How do you get it to flash into the minds of your opponent as well?"

"Well… its more of a projection of my inside voice into their minds. Doesn't need to go through their mind shields. Also…," continued Harry as they discussed the intricacies of the new spell and more of its uses.

Office of Public Prosecution, Ministry of Magic

"I assume you've seen Boy-Wonder is back…" said Padma Patil as her and Hermione worked on gathering court papers, getting ready for their case later that day.

Hermione's cheeks tinged a bit red looking into 'The Daily Prophet's' image of Harry as it moved with him having his signature lopsided grin. One of the few times she'd seen Harry smile ever since he lost his father, Sirius.

"Yeah," she replied, not wanting to admit she'd already gone to see him and even spurred with him.

Having noticed the Hermione's blush, Padma continued, "Life at least will get some bit of spice now that he's here. What with witches now going to throw themselves at him."

Hermione simply nodded absentmindedly, a wistful look on her face as she pictured those dark locks of hair on Harry.

A devious smile on her face, Padma crept closer to Hermione whispering in her ear, "Going to join that list Granger?"

That seemed enough to knock her out of her stupor as she spluttered and stammered an indignant, "No…"

"I mean… I don't know him well enough to make that decision. And I don't think he'd want to go for me. I mean I am me."

"Don't sell yourself short girl. Infact tonight after our victory, we are going to La Riviera to properly celebrate."

A voice in the doorway of the heavily cluttered office interrupted their 'girl talk'.

"Okay, It's time ladies. We gotta nail this bastard down," said Neville Longbottom, the head of the prosecution office.

It was the Friday at last. The day he'd at last hear the last words his parents intended for him. It would be an understatement to say he was nervous. Static was all over his skin as it tingled, he could feel the goosebumps along with the hair on his hands standing at attention ready for action.

He had Richard accompanying him of course, he'd chosen to go with the Rolls in the garage and find a place to park it before heading for Diagon Alley and getting into Gringotts. He reasoned that the drive there would be enough to calm him enough.

"Here, Master Harry. Take this," said Richard as he handed Harry a glass of clear liquid in the kitchen where they'd decided to have brunch.

Harry, for his part, simply took the aforementioned and glass and gulped its contents in one fell sweep. Instantly he felt his nerves relax and his head become clearer without the racing number of thoughts zooming inside his mind.

"Richard, what was that?"

"That, sir, is my own special blend. A calming drought with a bit of the ol' 'liquid courage'. Never failed me."

"Thank you, Richard. For everything. Being there for me and having faith in me. I know it wasn't easy taking care of an always brooding child, but you persevered," said Harry as he meaningfully gazed into his butler's eyes.

"Don't mention it, sir. Would do it all again in a heartbeat."

"Well… let's get on with it then," said Richard as he gestured his hands at the door.

It was a quiet long drive to Charring Cross Road and 'The Leaky Cauldron', however the car was fitted with speed enhancing runes allowing for them to reach in an hour rather than the longer hours it'd have taken had they gone with a normal car. They found a hotel close-by, bribing the doorman to look after the car despite not going into the hotel, as well as adding a confundus charm for good measure.

The Magnanni leather shoes could be heard slapping the ground as they moved with purpose towards The Leaky Cauldron, despite cutting an imposing figure, they didn't draw any attention to themselves – all credit going to the notice-me-not charm that Harry had cast as soon as they left the car in the parking lot.

Harry was lost in his thoughts on his walk to the Leaky Cauldron. Remembering his last days with League of Shadows.

Flashback begins

2 Years Before Return to Britain

Ra's Al Ghul was standing in front of a bowl of burning coals. Across from him were Harry and Lacour. He said something in the foreign language that he'd now learnt was Sumerian saying, "We have purged your fear. You are ready to lead these men. You are ready to become a member of the League of Shadows. But first, you must demonstrate your commitment to justice. Po voi!"

Having heard the command, one of the ninjas brought out the farmer Harry had seen before, in his stay here. Lacour held out a sword to Harry.

In the dark heavy woollen clothes, the League had provided for him, Harry looked out into the snow. His eyes trained on the village and thinking of the pain the family the man had murdered had gone through. The kids would grow without a father. The mother would have to raise the children alone, fending for herself and her kin. No thoughts on what else she'd have to do in order to bring food to the table of her small innocent children. He could feel his anger festering. Growing. He wondered what the wife and kids would want to be done to the man that taken away: a father and a husband.

He looked at: the sword, the murderer – whimpering now that he was so close to death, Ra's Al Ghul and to his mentor Lacour and back at the sword.

He stepped closer to the man and took the aforementioned sword without a glance at Lacour, choosing to look at the reflection in the crystal-clear blade of the sword.

Flashback ends.

"Harry! Harry!" said Richard as he held his charge's hand and pulling him aside. Trying to workout what was going through Harry's mind as he had nearly walked by the Leaky Cauldron.

Harry found himself staring into Richard's steel grey eyes as they looked at him with concern.

"I'm fine, Richard. Let's get in. No use standing in the middle of the street."

Richard spent a few moments staring in Harry's eyes. Searching. Looking for something. It seemed as though he'd found it as he stepped aside and allowed Harry to pass in front of him – leading them to The Leaky Cauldron.

The door creaked as they made their way inside, a few old women were sitting in a corner drinking tiny glasses of sherry. There seemed to be some old type of music playing in the background as they moved towards the entrance to Diagon Alley. The low buzz of chatter stopped as they continued on their way, maneuvering themselves around the numerous people stuffed in the pub. A little man in a top hat was talking to the elderly bartender, who was quite bald and looked like toothless walnut. The bartender though seemed to be distracted staring right at him, "Good Lord, is this – could this be –"

The Leaky Cauldron had suddenly gone completely still and silent.

"Harry Potter-Black at your service," said Harry cheekily.

"Bless my soul," whispered the old bartender, "Harry Potter… what an honour."

He hurried out from behind the bar, rushed towards Harry and seized his hand, tears in his eyes.

Knowing not to interrupt the emotional man though a bit amused and shocked, by the reverence the man seemed to hold him in, Harry let the man continue.

"Welcome back, Mr. Potter, welcome back."

His charisma shining through, Harry replied, "Thank you. It's good to be back. The land of my ancestors. Now I really must go. Have some business to handle in the alley but I will be back here, and we can share a couple of Butterbeers."

The pub still in silence, Tom, the bartender seemed to have burst from his reverie and quickly said, "Of course. Of course. Busy man you are. Welcome back home once again. Knew your parents I did. Great people they were. Come back and I might even tell you some of the antics your father and his gang of buddies got up to whilst here."

All throughout this, Richard had moved to a vantage point as Harry was now suddenly bombarded with greetings from everyone in the Leaky Cauldron. He could see Harry's eyes now straining with forced smiles as the people gathered all around him.

"Alright, alright. Enough of that. Let the man pass," said Richard as he decided to come to Harry's rescue who was to kind to tell them to basically shove off.

The people parted as though the red sea parted by Moses as they made way for the pair who proceeded to make their way to the back of the pub and out into a small, walled courtyard, where there was nothing but a trash can and a few weeds.

Out of patience to really key in the right bricks to open the way into the alley, Harry let out a quick small burst of magic at the bricks in the wall, causing it to open up into an archway onto a large, cobbled street.

They quickly made their way to Gringotts, a snowy white building that towered over all the other buildings in the area, despite the short stature of the people occupying it. Goblins.

Walking inside Harry couldn't help but admire the warning that were engraved upon the large set of doors:

Enter, stranger, but take heed

Of what awaits the sin of greed,

For those who take, but do not earn,

Must pay most dearly in their turn.

So if you seek beneath our floors

A treasure that was never yours,

Thief, you have been warned, beware

Of finding more than treasure there.

It always seemed to amuse him; he didn't quite know why, but it did.

Harry finally walked through the front doors of Gringotts Bank. Looking around, Harry noted that the place looked pretty much the same as the other branches of Gringotts he'd visited before. Small goblins scurried about all over the place, transporting paperwork and currency about the facility. Witches and wizards arranged in lines as they queued for their turn in the counters. Paying no further heed to the environs, Harry walked up to the front desk and ringed. The goblin in front of him looked up at Harry and Richard behind him with a nasty sneer, that immediately vanished upon seeing the Black Lord's ring as he brought his hand forward.

"Ah, yes, Lord Black. The Director is expecting you. Right this way, please."

And so, Harry and Richard followed the nameless goblin to the venue of his meeting with Director Ragnock, he followed the goblin through a set of doors into the restricted employee area of the bank and into an extravagant hallway filled with weapons of all sorts: medieval and shockingly even modern weaponry. The hallway led to a lift, with the Marauder Enterprises insignia and Gringotts insignia in the centre.

The ride in the lift was short, and its doors opened, with the goblin leading them to a set of enormous golden double doors, patterned with precious stones of all kinds, beautifully arranged to depict a goblin warrior. Harry felt that a simple artwork would have conveyed the same message with the same amount of beauty. The entire scene seemed to him as one of pointless extravagance, but he kept his mouth shut. It seemed Richard also shared the same thoughts as they exchanged a look, even though they couldn't help but be impressed. They watched as their goblin escort ran a finger along the front of the right door, causing it to open with a slight creak. The goblin motioned for them to remain behind as he swiftly moved into the next room, presumably to announce their arrival to the Director. Less than a minute had elapsed before their escort came back.

"The Director will see you now, Lord Black. Right through these doors."

They nodded to the goblin, who left without a word, and walked into the office. The office's interior was just as extravagant as the doors leading into it, with objects of gold and silver, items inlaid with jewels, and other indicators of endless wealth. The walls were adorned with various symbols of war: swords, axes, spears, and maces among others, most being small for a goblin's stature.

Richard glanced over to their left, he saw a particular nasty-looking spiked ball and chain suspended from the wall by a pair of stakes. Battle flags and pennants hung from the high ceilings. The overall picture was one of a perfect dichotomy of wealth and war. An audible sound of a throat clearing drew their attention to the centre of the room, where the Director of Gringotts had risen from his desk and started to walk over to greet them.

He'd never met the man but had heard of him from his Godfather who explained that he was practically royalty in the land of the goblins. Even though he'd previously heard of him, the stories didn't prepare him for the sight of the goblin in front of him. He was an older-looking goblin, with a mane of long white hair and muscular arms that belied his age, he had a certain aura that screamed of the authority that the man held. Much like his surroundings, the Director himself represented a blend of affluence and war: dressed in a gold-plated battle hauberk, with matching gauntlets that were clearly not fitted for fighting.

The Director presently reached Harry and Richard's location and extended them a gnarled hand in welcome.

"Good afternoon, Lord Black. I am Ragnock the III, chieftain of the unified clans of Britannia and Director of Gringotts Bank. I do hope that the office décor doesn't scare you off," saying the last statement with a grin.

"No, no. It is quite the impressive collection actually Director Ragnock"

"Glad to see that you like it. And please call me Ragnock out of respect of the great years I have worked with your family"

"Alright, Ragnock. Please call me Harry if you don't mind."

"And who might you be?" asked Ragnock as he looked at Richard.

"Richard Pennyworth at your service, sir. The Potter family butler."

"Ah, yes. I have heard of you from Lord Black's grandfather Charlus Potter."

"Pleasure to meet you Mr. Pennyworth," said the Director as he continued.

"You are no doubt wondering why I have called for your presence here and why me of all people is serving you today. Allow me to explain. A week or so ago you returned back to Britain a grown man. The Potter wills which had been sealed by the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot until your age of maturity had been unsealed but we couldn't contact you for some reason but now that you are here, we are able to finally carry the late Mr. and Mrs. Potters' last wills.

Harry leaned in the chair pensively as he remembered that Sirius had fought furiously to unseal the wills in the Wizengamot, but Dumbledore proved why he was unparallel politically as his political pull meant the members of the Wizengamot referred to his advice.

"Furthermore, there are quite a few members of the wizardry community that decided to leave their last monies in the hands of the Potters, as thanks for the demise of the Dark Lord."

At hearing this Harry's eyebrows rose not knowing that people would actually put him in their will despite not knowing them, he glanced at Richard who simply shrugged as if saying, "I expected this."

"Your father Sirius also arranged for you to take an Heir Test Ritual to see if you are heir to any other families apart from your own."

Harry nodded knowing he'd planned on doing this anyway.

"But before that, let us hear to the Last Will and Testament of Mr. and Mrs Potter."

Happy New Year folks. Wanted to post this on new years but had a bit of a change of plans in the chapter.

Also despite it having elements of Batman I am thinking of removing this from the crossover section because it is not something blatant. Share your thoughts on this with me. Thanks

As always keep the reviews coming.