"We could save some of that stuff, you know." Xenophilius told Sirius as they sat in the kitchen waiting for Pandora and Augusta. "At the cottage. The crib, the safe, anything else you wanted to keep for Harry. Frank and I can go there and get it if you don't want to go back."
"I would appreciate that…" Sirius replied softly, staring at the will in his hands. "I can't go back there, and I couldn't stay any longer than I had. I wish I had taken more things, I hope they're still there when you go."
"We'll go tomorrow, or even tonight if you want. I don't mind." Xenophilius smiled at the younger man, then turned towards the hallway. "Are you ladies ready?"
"Yes, darling." Pandora swept into the room and planted a kiss on the top of Xenophilius' head. "We were just helping Frank and Alice put Neville and Luna down for their naps."
Xenophilius smiled, then stood up, offering her his arm. "Shall we?"
The pair headed towards the fireplace as Augusta stepped into the kitchen holding Harry.
"Sirius, my boy…" Augusta started. "Are you sure we want to do this now? We can wait a bit, let things settle more."
"You know as well as I do that it would be a horrid idea to wait." Sirius stood as well, still clutching the will. "We need to know what this says, and soon. Who knows what Dumbledore may cook up if we don't?"
Augusta nodded solemnly. "I suppose that's true."
They followed Xenophilius and Pandora in Flooing to the Leaky Cauldron, covering Harry's face with a small hooded cloak so as to draw much less attention than would be expected of an already noteworthy child, who stood up to the Dark Lord not even two weeks ago and survived the Killing Curse…
Sirius shuddered to think about how much attention the boy would get at Hogwarts in a decade.
After a very brief conversation with Tom the Barkeep, who noted he still couldn't talk about Lily Potter without crying (which he definitely wasn't lying about; Pandora had to tell him to keep the handkerchief she gave him because it was too soaked to take back), they managed to make their way through the very crowded pub (damn their decision to come here on a Monday) into Diagon Alley.
"I wonder what I should do with James' wand." Sirius thought out loud as they passed by Ollivander's to one side, uncharacteristically ignoring Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour on his other side. "Should I bring it back to Ollivander or something?"
"There's no use for a wand without a wizard, Mr Black."
Sirius and both Lovegoods nearly jumped out of their shoes in fright as they heard Garrick Ollivander's voice reply mystically from beside them. Augusta, being a veteran witch from the Grindelwald times, was not so easily startled, and already knew he was there.
"If Mr Potter's wand will no longer produce any power, then it is about as useful as a fork in a battle." Ollivander continued from his seat in front of the ice cream parlour, looking rather odd eating a bowl of what appeared to be simple strawberry ice cream.
"Then what should we do with it?" Xenophilius asked. "Surely there's some kind of sentimental thing we could do with it for Harry, so he has some piece of his father."
"Harry…" Ollivander responded in a distant voice, staring at the bundle in Augusta's arms. "Yes, the boy… I wonder… But too soon to tell…" He seemed to snap out of whatever zone he was in, and looked back at Xenophilius. "Yes, I believe there may be one thing… But it may not work. You see, there is a tradition among the Ollivander family where the first wand that we ever whittle gets transfigured into a small houseplant, but that's without a core. I don't suppose how it would ever work with a cored wand, but if it's no longer producing magic then it may be essentially coreless anyways."
"Would you do that for us? Please?" Sirius asked with a pleading voice.
Ollivander looked directly into Sirius' eyes, something that always made the man feel uncomfortable. It wasn't the eye contact, it was Ollivander himself; he found the man far too wise and also far too creepy for his own good, and always had a sneaking suspicion the wandmaker was also a natural Legilimens.
"Do you have it with you?" Ollivander raised an eyebrow.
To the surprise of the rest of his party, Sirius reached into his cloak and pulled out James' wand.
"You still had it on you?" Pandora asked incredulously.
"Yeah." Sirius answered simply. "Didn't know how to let it go."
Ollivander took it from Sirius' outstretched hand and examined it closely. "Oh… Oh Merlin… Oh this is a sad wand… Very sad… It feels empty… Soulless…" Ollivander shook his head and set the wand down on the table beside his ice cream bowl, staring at it silently for a moment before turning back to Sirius. "This wand will never produce any magic again. I think perhaps it would be best off as a houseplant. Happier. More free and less broken."
"Thank you, Mr Ollivander." Sirius said sincerely.
Ollivander waved his hand nonchalantly. "Oh, don't thank me yet Mr Black. I haven't done anything. I'm still not certain it will work."
"We have to go to Gringotts, Mr Ollivander, but we might be there for a few hours. Can we stop by when we are done to see how it's going?" Pandora asked.
"Yes, of course." Ollivander replied almost dismissively as he picked up the wand again and started running his fingers along the details. "Best of luck with the Goblins."
The group took that as their cue to leave, and so they did, rather hastily.
"I never quite understood him. A rather odd man, that Ollivander." Xenophilius said to no one in particular.
Sirius made eye contact with Augusta and both had to stop themselves from laughing out loud.
"So, the Potter will."
Ragnok, the Head Goblin, peered at them over half-moon spectacles that Sirius wasn't sure the goblin actually needed because he never seemed to look through them.
"Sirius knew where to find it in the Potter's house, but they hadn't come here with it yet." Augusta explained.
Ragnok raised an eyebrow at her, then turned his attention back to Sirius. "Is it still sealed?"
"Yes, sir."
"There's no need to call me sir, Mr Black. Just call me Ragnok."
Sirius didn't reply, only extending the hand with the sealed will over the desk.
Ragnok took it from him, examined the seal for a moment, and turned to the sour-faced goblin standing next to him. "Nagnok, we're going to need someone who specializes in the wills of Pureblood families. These wizards can get real finicky about their things." He grinned a bit nastily at his companion, who didn't respond. "Get Gornuk in here, will you?"
Nagnok nodded wordlessly, and stepped out of the room. Not a moment later, the door swung open again and Nagnok was accompanied by a younger, slightly less sullen-looking goblin.
"The Potter will?" Gornuk said. "Ah, well this will be rather interesting, won't it?"
"Indeed." Ragnok grinned again. "Rather more to see how the wizards take the information."
"What information?" Pandora asked.
"Patience." Ragnok snapped. "It will come."
The goblins set the will down on the desk, and Gornuk waved his hand over the seal. The wax cracked perfectly in half, and Ragnok opened the parchment.
The Last Will and Testament of Lily Juliet Potter [nee Evans] and Jameson Charlus Potter
with respect to all properties and assets owned by Lily Potter and Jameson Potter at the time of their deaths, and with respect to the guardianship and lineage of Harold Jameson Potter, their son and heir
We hereby revoke all prior wills and testamentary dispositions made by one or both of us, and do declare this to be our last will and testament as of October the Twenty-Seventh in the year Nineteen Eighty-One
All ownership and possession of our properties and assets, with the exception of items designated to individuals listed in this will, is to be given to our son and heir Harold Jameson Potter at the time he reaches the age of majority
Should our son Harold Potter not be of the age of majority at the time of our deaths, the guardian or guardians of our son (designated below) will have rights over these that we possess, but do not have any right to use or sell these possessions unless approved by one or more of the other guardians, and any money used or gained from their sale is only to be used for the benefit and wellbeing of our son Harold Potter
The guardianship of our son and heir Harold Jameson Potter is to be as follows:
Sirius Orion Black III – to be given first priority in any emergency and full primary custody of our son Harold Potter in the event of our deaths
Frank Castor Joseph Longbottom and Alice Catherine Longbottom [nee Macmillan] – to be given second priority in any emergency and, if needed, custody of our son Harold Potter, or to be given first priority and full primary custody if Sirius Orion Black III is unable to fulfill his duties
Augusta Josephine Longbottom [nee Fawley] – to be given third priority in any emergency and decision rights over our son Harold's wellbeing and the use of our assets for his benefit, or to be given second or first priority in emergency and secondary or full primary custody if Sirius Orion Black III and Frank Castor Joseph Longbottom and Alice Catherine Longbottom are unable to fulfill their duties
Xenophilius John Lovegood and Pandora Ceres Lovegood [nee Greengrass] – to be given fourth priority in any emergency and decision rights over our son Harold's wellbeing and the use of our assets for his benefit, or to be given second or first priority in emergency and secondary or full primary custody if Sirius Orion Black III, Frank Castor Joseph Longbottom and Alice Catherine Longbottom, and Augusta Josephine Longbottom are unable to fulfill their duties
Severus Tobias Snape – to be given fifth priority in any emergency and decision rights over our son Harold's wellbeing and the use of our assets for his benefit, or to be given second or first priority in emergency and secondary or full primary custody if Sirius Orion Black III, Frank Castor Joseph Longbottom and Alice Catherine Longbottom, Augusta Josephine Longbottom, and Xenophilius John Lovegood and Pandora Ceres Lovegood are unable to fulfill their duties
Amelia Margaret Helena Bones – to be given sixth priority in any emergency and decision rights over our son Harold's wellbeing and the use of our assets for his benefit, or to be given second or first priority in emergency and secondary or full primary custody if Sirius Orion Black III, Frank Castor Joseph Longbottom and Alice Catherine Longbottom, Augusta Josephine Longbottom, Xenophilius John Lovegood and Pandora Ceres Lovegood, and Severus Edmund Snape are unable to fulfill their duties
Under no circumstances is guardianship of our son and heir Harold Jameson Potter to be awarded to Peter Jonas Pettigrew, Petunia Rose Dursley [nee Evans] and Vernon Nathaniel Dursley, or Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
If any circumstances should arise that find all of the approved guardians unable to fulfill their duties, then the priority of guardianship of our son and heir Harold Jameson Potter is to be determined by blood relation to either Lily Juliet Potter or Jameson Charlus Potter, with the exception of Petunia Rose Dursley and Vernon Nathaniel Dursley, or any blood relation to Jameson Charlus Potter that has ever been formally accused of being a follower of the Dark Lord Voldemort
In the event that no blood relation should be found, determination and priority of guardianship shall be left to certain trusted individuals, but guardianship shall not be awarded to these individuals unless there are no other viable options, and these individuals must agree upon a guardian with majority rules:
Kingsley Zachariah Shacklebolt
Alastor Tyron Moody
Aberforth Uriel Vincent Dumbledore
Remus John Lupin
Horace Wesley Slughorn
Minerva Flora Isobel McGonagall
To Remus John Lupin, Jameson Charlus Potter leaves his collection of all Zonko's products, in the hopes that Remus will remember to create and experience happiness when peace is gone
To Pandora Ceres Lovegood, Lily Juliet Evans leaves all her Muggle book collections, in the hopes that Pandora will experience the same joy they brought her as a child and spread that joy to her daughter, Luna Lucina Lovegood
To Frank Castor Joseph Longbottom and Alice Catherine Longbottom, Jameson Charlus Potter and Lily Juliet Potter leave their collection of ancient Muggle artwork, in the hopes that it will liven up their home, Longbottom Manor, in the same way it did their own
To Severus Tobias Snape, Lily Juliet Potter leaves all of her houseplants, in the hopes that they will bring light to his life where he needs it most
To Severus Tobias Snape, Jameson Charlus Potter leaves his own personal copy of Libatius Borage's Advanced Potion Making, and a copy of Fleamont Potter's Potion Making for Masters from the Potter family library, in the hopes that Severus will forgive Jameson his past endeavors and explore his unrivaled knack for potions that Jameson only ever saw in his own grandfather before
To Sirius Orion Black III, Jameson Charlus Potter and Lily Juliet Potter leave their greatest possessions, their wands and their wedding rings, as well as any book in the Potter family library that Sirius feels could be useful in the education and upbringing of their son and heir Harold Jameson Potter
To Peter Jonas Pettigrew, in the event that he betrays Jameson Charlus Potter and Lily Juliet Potter to the followers of the Dark Lord Voldemort, Jameson Charlus Potter leaves a magically extended bag of dragon dung that can be found in the Potter family vault, to remind him what a piece of crap he is
To Peter Jonas Pettigrew, in the event that he betrays Jameson Charlus Potter and Lily Juliet Potter to the followers of the Dark Lord Voldemort, Lily Juliet Potter leaves a bag of thirty silver sickles that can be found in the Potter family vault, to remind him forever that he is a traitor of the highest order
Under no circumstances are any betrothal contracts or arranged marriages to be made involving our son and heir Harold Jameson Potter without the approval of at least three of the approved guardians in item 3 and at least two of the trusted individuals listed in item 6, nor can they be made before Harold is of age to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, nor can he be married before he comes of age, nor can they be to someone Harold himself does not approve of, for his parents Jameson Charlus Potter and Lily Juliet Potter wish for him to be married to someone he loves just as they were
We hereby declare this last will and testament to be true and accurate to our wishes, and that any dispute in regards to these items are to be brought forth before the Wizengamot, with our representative being one or more of our son and heir Harold Jameson Potter's designated guardians
In witness of which we have set our hands to this will this twenty-seventh day of October in the year nineteen eighty-one,
Jameson Charlus Potter
Lily Juliet Potter [nee Evans]
Witness: Amelia Margaret Helena Bones
Secondary Witness: Kingsley Zachariah Shacklebolt
Several minutes of silence followed the echo of Ragnok reading out Kingsley's full name at the very end of the will, with the Lovegoods staring at Sirius, Augusta staring at the parchment, and Sirius staring at the wall, all four now with drying tear stained faces.
"James' name was Jameson?" Augusta broke the silence.
"I thought everyone knew that." Sirius replied.
"And Harry's real name is Harold?" Augusta continued.
"Seriously, I thought everyone knew that one too. But enough about that…" Sirius smirked, turning to Xenophilius. "Your middle name is John?"
Pandora started giggling, and Xenophilius sighed. "My father was rather less creative than my mother, and named me after his childhood friend, John Prewett. My mother chose the name Xenophilius."
Sirius joined Pandora in the giggle fit until Augusta gently smacked his arm. "Focus, Sirius."
"Yes, sorry." Sirius tried to straighten up, but could barely hold back his giggles.
Xenophilius turned his attention back to the goblins. "Ragnok, sir, may I ask – "
"Don't call me sir."
"Sorry, Ragnok, erm…" Xenophilius looked a little flustered, but he continued. "In the will it states that there is to be given priority to blood relations of either Lily or James, but we have been lead to believe that every relative of Lily is dead other than her sister Petunia, and James' last living relatives would be the Black family through his mother Dorea. Would there be – I mean, is there –"
"A way to see what lines he belongs to, who his family is?" Ragnok finished, and Xenophilius nodded. Ragnok grinned. "Of course. That's why you bring wills here, bring orphans here, bring people with bad memory loss here. We have our charts, our incantations, our family trees… Many ways to show you young Mr Potter's other family."
"You mean you already know?" Pandora asked.
"We do. We needn't tell you until you ask, so we needn't show you until now." Gornuk said.
"So can you? I mean, when can we find out?" Sirius had recovered from his giggles at the implication that somewhere there could be more Potters, or perhaps some relatives of Lily's that they could find and involve in Harry's life.
Having come from such a large family, having so many cousins and uncles and aunties, Sirius couldn't imagine having a childhood where there was no family around. Sure, Harry would have Sirius and the Longbottoms and the Lovegoods, but it wouldn't be the same.
No, it would be best to find someone who was really related to Harry, who would be there for him simply because he was blood family, the same way his favourite uncle Alphard was there for him, or his cousin Andromeda, or even Bellatrix before she started going insane, or Narcissa before she met Lucius…
"We know now. We can show you now." Ragnok's nasty grin returned. "But are you certain you want the truth?"
"Of course!" Augusta replied almost snappily. "We asked and we want the answers!"
"Gornuk." Ragnok commanded, and Gornuk pulled a piece of parchment out of seemingly nowhere to hand to Sirius.
Harold Jameson Potter – son of Jameson Charlus Potter and Lily Juliet Potter [nee Evans]
Lord of the Noble House of Potter, upon death of Jameson Charlus Potter on October 31 1981, through paternal grandfather Charlus Fleamont Potter
Member of the Noble House of Black through paternal grandmother Dorea Venus Potter [nee Black]
Heir of the Minor House of Grindelwald through maternal grandfather Ivan Gellert Percival Grindelwald
Heir of the Minor House of Flitwick through maternal great-grandmother Juliet Cassandra Flitwick
Heir of the Noble Goblin Family of Griphook through maternal grandmother Burga the Half-Gobliness
Sirius looked up at the goblins incredulously. "What in the name of Merlin's bloody left –"
"Sirius Orion Black, watch your language in front of Harry!" Augusta scolded. "Let me see that parchment."
Augusta snatched it from his hands and the Lovegoods read it over her shoulder.
"Oh my…" Pandora murmured.
"You can't be serious. This has got to be some sort of joke. Show me the real damned paper." Sirius demanded.
"That is the real paper." Ragnok responded. "We warned you may not be ready. Shocking, isn't it? Young Mr Potter is part goblin, shocking indeed."
"Forget that!" Sirius shouted. "He's the heir to the minor house of – of Grindelwald?!"
"Indeed he is. That is what the paper says. The paper doesn't lie."
Sirius blinked at Ragnok, and he opened his mouth to retort, but his shock caught up to him, and the ground rushed up to meet him.
"Well, Nurmengard is certainly smaller than I expected it to be." Xenophilius remarked lightly. "But Austria really is a lovely place, don't you think?"
"It is, but we're not here to sightsee, Xeno…"
Xenophilius sighed. "I know, Sirius, I'm just trying to lighten the mood."
Sirius stared at his lone companion for a moment before turning back to the castle-like prison tower in front of them. "You stay outside, down with the aurors. I need to talk to him alone."
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely."
Sirius ascended the stairs to the highest room by himself, thinking the whole way about how he was going to introduce himself, what he was going to say, how many questions he was going to demand answers to…
"Who are you?"
Sirius looked up from his feet, which he was staring at the entire time, to realize he had indeed reached the top of the stairs, and he was staring at the depressed, sunken face of Gellert Grindelwald himself, through a set of bars in the doorframe.
Every thought he had on the way up had vanished as soon as he laid eyes on the old man, so he simply held out a piece of parchment to him through the bars.
At first, Grindelwald didn't move, but he slowly approached Sirius, and took the parchment from him, eyeing him warily.
He opened the parchment, and read it, and read it again, and again…
He finally looked up at Sirius in shock. "I have a great-grandson?"
Sirius nodded, and to his surprise, the former 'darkest wizard of his time' in front of him burst into tears.
A/N: Well, y'all didn't see that coming did you? Sorry for the delay, I've had some personal things come up, but I'm working on the next chapter tonight. Take care folks!