Chapter Six

Harry was more grateful than he could say to be out of the courtroom. It always felt like there wasn't quite enough air in there.

"You did really well." Daphne said kindly to Harry, "You both did." smiling to Corvus.

"I just was so scared of saying the wrong thing." Corvus said.

"Ah Corvus, Harry, I'm glad I caught you before you left." Kingsley said, "Do you have a little while? I must call you both in for a quick word."

"What about?" Lucius asked, placing a hand protectively on Corvus's shoulder.

Kingsley smiled tightly, "I meant no harm, we just have a few matters to discuss."

Lucius tightened his grip slightly, "I see." he gathered that this was something to do with the case against Corvus, although he had no idea why Harry was being called in as well, "Well, I should just get my wife…"

Kingsley nodded his consent, "Of course, Harry, would you like to go and fetch your charming mother as well?"

Part of Harry wanted to say he'd be fine by himself, but he was tired of being a grown up after the trial, and felt the need to get support from where ever he could.

Lily was also searching for him in the crowd. She'd over heard a small group of witches speaking in hushed, annoyed tones about Davis being released so early. From what she could hear it seemed they lost a cousin to one of Davis's plans and felt the pain was being forgotten. Over shadowed by Davis's pain of loosing a daughter, and a stepdaughter at that.

"Are you alright?" Lily asked, spotting Harry coming towards her with a worried look on her face.

Harry nodded, forcing a smile, "I… Kingsley needs to talk to me."

"Did he say what about?" Lily asked.

"No." Harry shrugged, "but he said I could come and find you, so it can't be anything that bad. He needs to speak to Corvus as well. He's gone to find Narcissa and Lucius."

Lily nodded and followed Harry without another word. Corvus was already waiting for them, Narcissa and Lucius either side of him, an arm wrapped around him protectively. Draco was also there, next to Corvus and glaring at Kingsley.

Harry recognised the stance, it was one he'd taught Draco himself in the DA lessons. It was calm, relaxed and none threatening; however you could reach for your wand and cast a powerful spell in a few seconds with a simple half step back and shifting your weight.

"Is everything alright?" Lily asked Narcissa.

Narcissa gave her a tight nod, "While the Minister hasn't seen fit to tell us what this meeting is about, we can only assume that it has to do with the investigation against Corvus."

Harry felt a tightness in his chest. Poor Corvus looked tiny and weak again. It had been months before he'd even left Malfoy Manor after the Battle of Hogwarts. Narcissa and Lucius had cared for him as best as they could, but there was little they could do legally to help him and the shadow of the investigation hung around his neck like a mill stone.

Kingsley looked solemnly at them all, "I assure you there is nothing to worry about, just a few details we must discuss. Please, let's go some where private, and a little more comfortable."

Severus and Danica joined the silent group as they climbed the stone steps, entered the lift and got off at a brightly lit and well furnished floor.

There were several velvet covered arm chairs and sofas next to each office door, in a rich blue. Kingsley led them to the end of the corridor, where there was a very grand, dark wooden door.

"Do you mind if I speak with Harry first Corvus?" Kingsley asked, "It'll only take a moment."

Corvus took a deep breath and nodded, reassuring himself that he would have been arrested by now if that was the Minister's end goal.

"Thank you." Kingsley said with a smile.

He ran his wand down the centre of the door and it swung open, he gestured for Harry and his family to enter.

"Perhaps Miss Danica and Severus would be more comfortable waiting out here?" Kingsley suggested.

"They can come in." Harry said, "Anything you have to say to me they may hear."

Kingsley nodded again and waited for them all to enter before shutting the door.

Inside the office was warm and cosy. Several pictures of abstract art hung on the orange walls, along with the traditional portraits that helped Kingsley to do his work.

Harry sat on one of the high backed wooden chairs at the desk, Lily sitting next to him while Severus and Danica sat on the green leather sofa that sat against one of the walls.

Kingsley took a moment to settle himself in his chair and pulled out a file from his desk with a flick of his wand.

"Mr Potter… well, I suppose that's why I have called you here today." Kingsley said, pushing the file slightly closer to Harry, "When your father died, the will stated that a large amount of money was to go to your mother, for her comfort and for your keep until you were eighteen and left school. However that was delayed, and you only finished your schooling at nineteen."

Harry nodded, "I remember… I was there." he said jokingly.

Kingsley smiled, "Of course. I was hoping to talk to you after the ceremony but you seemed… rather busy."

Danica chewed her lip slightly, that was because of her.

Harry nodded again, "Minister, what exactly is it you wish to tell me?"

"When James died, his title passed to you." Kingsley said, "He wished that it be kept in trust until you had left school. Now the time has come to pass it back on to you."

Harry stared blankly at him for a moment, "I… title?"

"Yes." Kingsley said, looking worriedly at Lily, "Your father was the Viscount of Somerset, and was master of rather a large estate."

Harry had vague memories of his mother telling him about a grand estate he would one day own, how there was an orchard full of every fruit tree you could think off, a steam and a hedge maze.

"During the time it has been in trust, the estate has increased hugely in value." Kingsley continued, "It brings in several million Galleons a year and…"

"Million?" Harry repeated.

Lily looked shocked, "I had no idea that it had increased so much…"

Kingsley nodded, "It has done very well. The farm thrives and there are several people who rent in the village. The main house has rather fallen into disrepair over the years unfortunately. It is guarded against muggles, so that magic can be used freely, so hasn't been used since your grandparents passed away."

"Wow…" Harry didn't know what to say.

Kingsley looked worriedly at Danica for a moment before taking a deep breath, "I have a duty to assure you that the estate and all the saved money from the past, nearly eighteen years, will be transferred directly to you and that you have no obligation to share with anyone, including your family."

Harry let out a snort of laughter, it had never occurred to him not to share with his family.

"Your mother will keep her payment," Kingsley continued, "That's hers but there is no obligation to top it up in any way."

"I would never ask that of you Harry." Lily said quickly, "We have more than enough, you don't need to worry about us. Your father saw that I was well cared for, and Severus had his salary. Don't worry about us."

Harry gave her hand a tight squeeze, "I should like to go and see the estate at some point. Who has been managing it?"

"We have a department here in the Ministry that manages estates kept in trust." Kingsley explained, summoning a bit of paper and scribbling down several names in his very messy hand writing, "They all work in department fourteen and will be happy to help you. They are also able to continue running the estate, should you so wish. All of the fees and such will be discussed with them when you make an appointment."

Harry wasn't sure what to say, "I… thank you. It's a lot to take in. I knew James had a title but… the estate is… much bigger than I was expecting."

Kingsley smiled sympathetically, "I know it's a lot to take in, Harry. I know you've always just been known as Harry Potter, but you are now Viscount Somerset. What you do with it is obviously up to you. I suggest you take some time, and think everything over. Talk to your friends… make an appointment for the next steps in a week or so."

Harry nodded, "Thank you. I… I'll let you know what I… what I want to do…"

Kingsley waited a few moments to allow Harry to process before standing, indicating that it was time to leave.

Harry stood and shook hands with the Minister, his whole life had changed in a moment. He'd been thinking about inheriting his father's title a lot lately, he remembered nothing of James; it seemed strange some how to follow in his footsteps.

"Are you quite alright Harry?" Narcissa asked, standing as Harry and his family filed out of Kingsley's office, "You look awfully pale."

"Kingsley has said that I can officially take over James's title and estate…" Harry said numbly, "It's… it's just a lot to take in."

"Of course it is." Lucius smiled, "You know we'll help in anyway we can."

Harry nodded, "Thank you."

"Corvus." Kingsley said brightly, "Come on in."

Harry waved goodbye to the Malfoys and watched them enter the office before leaving.

Corvus felt as though he couldn't breath. There was no air in Kingsley's office he was sure of it. The Minister smiled at him kindly but he had no idea what to expect and felt like he was going to throw up at any moment.

"I wont beat around the bush, I'm sure this isn't easy for you." Kingsley said, pulling out a large file from a filing cabinet behind him and opening it up, "You are aware that for the last twenty months, since the end of the war at the Battle of Hogwarts, the Ministry has been conducting a number of investigations into people suspected of helping or assisting Voldemort. And that you were one of those who were investigated."

Corvus nodded, "Yes sir."

"The investigation is now finished." Kingsley said, "And you have been found innocent of all charges."

Corvus let out a sob of relief, clapping his hand over his mouth. Narcissa pulled out a lacy handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes.

"I'm so please." She said, the tears effecting her voice.

"Of course." Kingsley agreed, "It is a huge relief to you all I can imagine and I would like to assure you that I never doubted your innocence. I know the great work you did, the risks you took. Not to mention that you single handedly saved Fred Weasley's life."

Corvus felt another wave of sickness come over him. It was true that he'd saved Fred, and he was glad of it, of course, Fred was wonderful, but the action that had saved Fred, had killed Gemini, Corvus's sister.

Kingsley lowered his head, "Forgive me, I'm sure it's still difficult for you."

"I know she was a bad person." Corvus said slowly, his voice barely more than a whisper, "and she did a lot of bad things, but she was still my sister."

A heavy silence filled the room.

"I understand." Kingsley said, "And… well, I have more news for you, which may also be difficult. Now that the investigation is over, you are free to inherit your families titles and estates."

Corvus looked up in shock, "I… I thought it would all be eaten up by their fines… from their actions during the… the war…"

"A lot of it was." Kingsley nodded, "But there is still the main house and its surrounding lands, as well as a few others. There is some lovely woodland up in Scotland I believe."

"I don't want it." Corvus said quickly.

"I understand that this is a lot to take in…" Kingsley said soothingly.

"No!" Corvus said, standing up, "Thank you for telling me but I don't want it. I don't want anything, not a single bit of it! Please!"

"Corvus take a deep breath." Lucius said, wrapping his arms around the boy, "It's alright."

"I think this meeting is over." Draco said coolly, he normally had great respect for Kingsley but his protective instinct for the boy he thought of as a brother was far stronger at that moment.

Kingsley sighed, "I have no wish to distress anyone, especially Corvus after everything he's been through."

"I just can't!" Corvus said, willing Kingsley to understand the pain that was bouncing around inside his head, every word about his family feeling like a dagger.

"I know…" Kingsley began.

Corvus interrupted him, moving away from Lucius's protective embrace, "No! You don't know! I hate that house, I have nothing but bad memories from it, even before bloody Voldemort took it over! I… I just can't! I don't want it! I want nothing to do with the horrors of my family! They're dead! Let the family die with them!"

Kingsley took a moment, watching Corvus breath heavily as tears streamed down his cheeks, "Corvus… I wish I didn't have to do this…"

"It was better while I was being investigated." Corvus whispered, "I hated not knowing but… I don't want this. I'd rather die poor in a ditch…" he fell back into his seat, Narcissa wrapping his arms around him, kissing his head and making soothing shh noises.

"If you choose to give everything away, you have that right." Kingsley said, "By Wizarding law you have to be seventeen to do so, and… and until then, you have to take your inheritance, there's no legal way for you to be able to pass it over."

Corvus looked hopelessly at him, "Harry… Harry never went by his title, he's nineteen and he's only just gotten it all. Why do I have to have it now?"

"James Potter, and in fact his father, Fleamont Potter, had put it in their wills that Harry was only to inherit once he had finished school that was of course delayed." Kingsley explained, "Your parents had no such will mentioning you."

"Mentioning me?" Corvus said, snorting a rather tear filled laugh, "What did it say?"

"Corvus… you don't need to hear whatever it is they wrote." Narcissa said softly.

"Yes… yes I do." Corvus said, giving her a very weak smile.

Kingsley pulled out a very worn piece of parchment, "It mentions that Rodolphus 2nd should get his inheritance straight away… once his father Rodolphus 1st had past. There was to be a small amount put aside to support your mother Bellatrix and an even smaller amount to be put aside for Gemini's dowry… If your mother was to die there were a few jewels and items of clothing that were to go to her children, should your father have had allowed it. Of course as they both died, as did your siblings, it all came to you."

Corvus didn't know what to say. He felt like he was about to pass out, darkness creeping in around the corners of his vision.

"I don't want it." He whispered again.

"I know, and I am so sorry." Kingsley said, "Please, take some time and… think about it. Talk about it with your friends. There's nothing we can do for a number of months yet…"

"I need to go home." Corvus said.

Narcissa and Lucius nodded.

"Get some rest, Corvus." Kingsley said kindly, shaking hands with Lucius.

They left the office quickly, getting Corvus home to the warm comfort of Malfoy Manor, where nothing of the real world could get to him.