It's My Life
Harry led Remus and Griphook to the den, which was basically some ways down the hall from the dining room. Harry figured against the library because he was still organizing books from Severus's house and had an elf assigned to just handling that space. Once in the den, Harry closed the doors and guided Griphook and Remus to sit down comfortably as he got the fire going. Finally, Harry sat down next to Remus and looked at Griphook.
"Griphook, the floor is yours." Harry told the goblin.
"Thank you, Mr. Potter-Snape." Griphook levitated the paper up as it unfolded. "The last will and testament of Lord Sirius Orion Black the Third." Harry tried not to be nervous or upset, but his hands were fidgeting in his lap. Remus reached a hand over to put on Harry's shoulder.
"Ssh now. Take a breath, cub," Remus directed softly.
Harry took a few, letting them out slowly before nodding to Griphook to continue. "First, to Remus John 'Moony' Lupin…" The werewolf tensed at the pain of Sirius using his Marauder nickname. "I leave behind ten-thousand galleons, and my beach cottage in South Wales. The deceased mentions that it can be accessed via the Floo network by calling Black Cottage, South Wales Beach." The goblin stated. Remus nodded to the goblin, surprised Sirius left him both money and a place to live. "Would you like to continue?" Griphook questioned.
"Yes, please?" Harry asked, wiping his eyes.
"To my godson, Harry James Potter-Snape," Griphook started, which clenched at Harry's heart. Sirius just made this, as in after he learned Severus had adopted Harry to have listed it with his second last name. "I leave everything else I own." The goblin paused. "Mr. Black named you his sole heir, Mr. Potter-Snape. All his properties and money, even his house elf. Except for what was promised to Mr. Lupin. Everything has already been transferred to you both."
"T-Thank you," Harry managed. "I-Is this everything?"
"Yes, Mr. Potter-Snape. This concludes the reading of Lord Sirius Black's will." Griphook replied
"We'll see you out, Mr. Griphook." Remus mentioned. The goblin nodded as Harry and Remus both rose from their seats to lead Griphook out, then they reached the main room. "Thank you for coming out of your way for this. We know it's normally done at the bank."
"It's no trouble at all." Griphook stated. "And I've nearly forgotten…Mr. Potter-Snape, would you like to keep the Black vault separate from your main or combine them? There's no rush on the answer, of course." He added before pulling out a key. "Until you've made your decision, this is the key to the Black vault. If you choose to combine them, just bring that to the bank with you and it will be done." Harry nodded to him. "And then there are these. I was instructed not to read them aloud, but simply deliver them to you." Griphook handed Remus an envelope.
The werewolf accepted it as Griphook then held out a square box to Harry. "I was told it would not open without a password, which Lord Black has assured you would know. Also ensured it would only open for you, Mr. Potter-Snape. It only responds to you."
"Did he leave a hint?" Draco remarked.
"He did, but Lord Black was confident Harry wouldn't need it." Griphook informed. "That is everything."
"Thank you for everything, Griphook," Remus said since Harry seemed rather quiet as he held the box in his hands.
"My pleasure," Griphook shook the wolf's hand. Harry snapped out of his stupor and nodded to Griphook, shaking the goblin's hand. Griphook then left via the fireplace.
Remus looked at the letter, but saw Harry take a seat on the couch, holding the box in his lap. Remus took a seat next to his cub and put an arm around his shoulders. "You don't have to open it right now, cub." He said. "And don't strain yourself to figure out that riddle. You know how Sirius was…Likes to make things hard, even in death."
"I'm still sitting with the fact he left me everything…" Harry admitted.
"He loved you as his own son, Harry. Who else would he leave it all to?" Remus smiled.
"He left you stuff too," Harry reminded.
"More than I ever expected." Remus nodded. "Why don't we read this together, then you and I can figure out the box? Something tells me he would have wanted that."
"Okay," Harry agreed. "Looks like a howler…" He admitted when Remus opened the envelope. "Kind of. It's not red, though…Probably enchanted to speak."
The letter levitated out of Remus's hands and in front of the two.
"Moony,
If you're reading or hearing this, then I'm no longer of this world. I probably died protecting Harry, so don't be going werewolf mode to attack anyone. If I died, it was my choice to and I knew the consequences of my decision. I'm sure you're upset with me gone, but hey…Let's take one more walk down memory lane. Just like when we were both at Grimmauld. Talking about the old times.
I got one! Remember the first time James and Lily let us babysit Harry? How much it took to get him to stop screaming when his parents left. The fact we all fell asleep on the living room floor? We were so dead after that. And remember the time us and James had to chase Harry around on the toy broom for his first birthday? Lily was ready to kill us all for the mess and the fact Harry nearly crashed because James put the broom on the wrong setting?
Do you remember all those nights we spent in the shrieking shack, scaring people away thinking it was haunted? All our adventures in the Forbidden Forest? Remember the map's creation? All those times under James's cloak, avoiding teachers while we roamed the castle. I know they were times with Pettigrew, but forget the rat. He was always sniveling with 'we shouldn't guys. we'll get in trouble. come on, let's go back to the common room because we're caught and get detention'. He was never really one of us, was he?
All that aside, I know you're laughing. Or crying. Maybe shaking your head at the reminders. Hell, you're probably doing all three. Good, I'm glad. I don't want you getting sad over losing me. We had some good times, great years. I know they got me through my time in Azkaban, in dog form. The dementors couldn't affect me that way.
That's how I want you to remember me, Remus. The good times. The years we got together. Don't do anything stupid! James and I are gone now, you're the only Marauder left to protect Harry. If that Pettigrew comes around again, get rid of him. I'm sorry to place the burden on you, my friend. I'm sorry if you had to see me die. I'm sorry if Harry did too, and I know that if you both saw it…
You pushed everything down to be there for Harry because you knew he needed you. I'm sorry, Remus. For all the full moon nights you'll have to spend alone. For all the albums you'll look through and laugh, then look left or right to try to ask James and I if we remember it. I'm sorry we left you and Harry too. I know he's got Severus, but don't let him bully you.
James named you Harry's uncle. We were the brothers James never got, he told me that himself. The dungeon bat isn't allowed to keep you away from Harry. If he tries, I'll haunt him and so will James. Our pup/cub is going to need his Uncle Moony or Uncle Remy. Whatever he's referring to you as these days.
If you have this letter, you know I left you money and one of my properties. The cottage is fortified to handle your transformations, but you can live there full time if you like. Maybe you'll finally settle down. I know you have a thing for Tonks. You can't hide that from me, or Harry. He's picked up on it too, I'm sure. Yes, I'm teasing you on a crush beyond the grave. Death cannot stop me.
The cottage, it's right near the water; you'll love it. You probably remember it, I took you, and James there right after we graduated. We spent the summer having a grand old time. One last hoo-rah before James and Lily got married or he proposed. Remember? We spent most of it drunk, cliff diving, swimming…I've had some of the best times of my life with you and James. I'm sure that me leaving you what I have surprised you considering I said I'd leave everything to Harry.
While writing this, I remembered something Prongs and I promised one another if we ever died before you. There's a clause in James's will to leave you something out of a private vault not connected to Harry's inheritance. It only activated if I died and you were left without either of us. We never wanted you to ever worry about a place to live, or money.
So in addition to what I've left you, James matched it and sent the same. You've also got half on any investments the Black family own. Harry gets the other half, obviously. You're set for life, my friend. James and I promised that you'd always be taken care of, our thank you for your amazing friendship and the amazing years we've had together.
Now, a couple mentions! Don't forget to take your wolfsbane. Oh! And make sure you take Harry where we said we would. Don't be sad and don't cry. I know you'll read this with Harry. Don't cry, or he'll cry. So don't you cry, Remus. I swear to Merlin you better not. You have to be strong, for Harry. Don't let this destroy him.
Share all our memories with him. There's so much we never got to tell him with the years of me in prison, or hiding out. It's up to you to tell him the Marauder Adventure Tales. You know where everything is, I made sure to tell you just for this reason. Remy, one last request…All we ask is that you take care of Harry. Be there for him. Don't let him do anything stupid or rash. Be his voice of reason like you were for James and I.
Make sure he knows how loved he is and don't let him blame himself. Don't let him shut anyone out. Live at the manor, if you have to. I'm sure Harry won't mind. You lived there once before after Hogwarts. He'll fight you on it because he's stubborn like his parents, but he'll come around eventually. Lean on one another when it gets hard. Those we love are never truly gone…Harry knows the rest of that line, so if you don't know, he'll tell you.
I love you both, and I'm always here watching over you. It's not goodbye, Moony. I swear it's not. Just until we see one another again. I promise you that James and I will always be with you and Harry, even if you can't see us anymore. We're always right beside you both, walking with you as we did in life.
Your friend,
-Padfoot
The letter refolded itself after speaking in Sirius's voice, then settled into Remus's hands. The wolf had fought crying, he didn't want to do that in front of Harry and Sirius must have known how things would play out. Sirius did tell Remus that if he cried, Harry would too and no one wanted Harry to break down again. The teenager was putting on such a strong face, burying how he really felt; that he just wanted to scream out.
But Harry had already done that when he saw Sirius die to protect him. Remus slowly turned his head to look at his nephew, Harry had his head down and was staring at the box in his lap. The boy wasn't crying, but there were unshed tears brimming his eyes. It probably wasn't even the letter's contents that got to Harry, it was Sirius's voice.
"Harry, are you alright?" Remus asked his cub.
"Hm? Me? Oh, I'm fine." Harry lied. "I'm just trying not to lose it with laughter that he's teasing you from beyond the grave. Come on, it's such a Sirius thing to do."
"Indeed it is. Sirius was the Marauder's prankster." Remus nodded. "Now, how about we find out what's in that box? Once we figure out how to open it…"
"Griphook said Harry would know." Ron reminded.
"Do you know, Harry?" Pansy wondered.
Harry inspected the box a bit, checking around the top and bottom, then all the sides and the latch itself. "Yeah, I got it." Harry set the tip of his wand at the lock. "Toujours Pur," Harry uttered. There was a whoosh of magic and the lock clicked, then opened.
"Using the Black family motto as a password. Brilliantly set, cousin…" Narcissa chuckled.
"What?" Draco and Lucius looked at Narcissa.
"What?" Narcissa replied. "Did you both forget I was a Black before I married to Malfoy?"
"Well, no…But didn't think you'd still know the motto still after all these years." Lucius commented.
"You don't forget where you come from, darling." Narcissa smiled. "The password was the Black family motto. Toujours Pur…"
"It's French and means Always Pure…" Harry informed and Narcissa nodded. Harry lifted the lid fully and found a letter and the Black Family emblem on the bottom of the box. Harry pulled the letter out and unfolded it.
Harry,
Unlike the message I wrote for Remus, I'm afraid I don't have many memories of us to let you reminisce over the good times. I'm sorry for that, we would have had many years if I hadn't made the decision to go after Pettigrew the night your parents were killed. Hagrid assured me that Dumbledore was placing you somewhere safe and I could collect you after Pettigrew was caught. I only have my memories of your first year, and the little time we got together once you set me free.
You risked your reputation, your very life to save me. I owe you my life, and I hope to one day be able to repay it by saving yours. If you're reading this now, I've seen that through because I gave my life to save yours. I'd ask you not to be upset by my death, but I know that isn't something I can request of you. We got so little time together. I spent twelve years in prison, and two more on the run. I'm so thankful for the people you've gained in your life, it sets me at ease that you will never be alone with me gone.
And I know with Severus as your father, you'll always be safe. As much as I don't like the git, he has kept you protected all these years where I couldn't. You've got your Uncle Moony too. Lean on one another, he'll be just as hurt as you with me gone. Don't do anything stupid, Harry. I know it's a heavy and unfair burden on your shoulders, but you are the one prophesied to defeat the dark lord. Marked as his equal.
While everyone else may fight beside you, you are the one who has the power to destroy him. I wish I could give you the answer to that power, but I don't know. I feel that in time, though, you'll discover it on your own. We've all said it at the Order meetings, Harry is the only chance we have at beating the dark lord. Trust him. Everyone has their faith in you, pup.
I won't carry on too long with this. For what I've left you, aside from what I've left Remus, something your father and I both agreed on for our Moony, you have inherited everything else. My vault, Kreacher, Grimmauld. There was no one else I could leave it all to as you are the closest thing I have to having a child. Kreacher will likely never leave Grimmauld, unless you command it. He's a grumpy old elf, but he obeys above all else. I know you have Potter Manor, so if you do not want Grimmauld…Let the Order keep using it as their headquarters. It can never be transferred out of your name, of course.
Unless you have children of your own. You are my heir, Harry. I named you such not so long ago when I saw the signs of the second war beginning. I lived through one, I dared not assume to survive another. It's war, my boy, and in war…There are always casualties. I'm dead now, but remember that I died protecting you and fighting for what's right. There is one more thing. It's something that Severus, Remus, Narcissa, Lucius, and Draco are all aware of. I made them promise not to tell you.
However, with me gone…I release them from that promise. If you desire to know, ask your father. Only then will you understand my last gift to you which resides in this box. I'm sorry I've left you. But like I told Remus…I will never be far. Neither will your parents. We're always watching over you.
I love you, son. Remember, the ones that love us are never truly gone…
Your godfather,
Sirius.
Harry lowered the paper now, looking back at the box. "What promise is he talking about, Dad?"
"The night Sirius found out I blood adopted you, he made a request of me…To let him blood adopt you as well, and I agreed." Severus said.
"So…I have two extra fathers?" Harry inquired.
"Sirius needed the blood adoption to make you his heir, Harry," Narcissa stated gently. "Sirius had no children of his own, you are the closest he had with his status as your godfather. Sirius wanted to make it official, so you could inherit everything from him as his heir."
"But the potion…I never took one like I did with you, Dad…" Harry looked at Severus.
"You did, you just didn't know you had. I slipped it into your drink at dinner, then you just got back to the dorm and fell right asleep. The next morning you woke up, didn't even notice the slight change in your hair being a dark brown, and curly." Severus informed. "I made Black promise he wouldn't use the adoption to override me as your father. But he'd already told me he wouldn't when he made the request."
"I'm…Harry James Potter-Snape-Black then?" Harry asked.
"Yes. Technically, Prince too, but I already told you the circumstances being the heirship and lordship for that." Severus nodded. "You carry Prince as it's part of mine. Legally, I'm Snape-Prince."
"So what's Sirius's last gift to you?" Draco wondered.
"Knowing what I do now…I've figured it out." Harry looked at the insignia on the bottom of the box before he used his wand to lightly slice his index finger, then let a drop of blood hit the seal. Magic swirled before it opened and there revealed what Harry expected. The Black Family ring. The lordship ring. Shakily, Harry pulled the object out and admired it. The Black coat of arms inside the clear stone, then a black B in the middle of the emblem. Harry slipped the ring on his pinky as it resized to his finger and then it flashed once.
"What was that, why did the ring glow?" Ginny inquired.
"Harry just became Lord Black," Draco stated.