Harry had been back on Privet Drive for less than a week when the message from Gringotts for the will reading of Sirius Black on the morning of the will reading Harry saw that Mundungus Fletcher was on duty again. If you could call sleeping off a drunk being on duty. He lifted his wand and with toot of a horn the Knight Bus appeared and a conductor he was not familiar with greeted him "Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard just stick out your wand hand, step on board, and we can take you anywhere you want to go. My name is Samuel Springfield and I will be your conductor this morning."
"I am Harry Potter and I need to go to the Leaky Cauldron, In London" Harry said gauging the man's response and for once he was not disappointed.
"Very well Mr. Potter" the man said preparing Harry's ticket "That will be 11 Sickle for two more you can get a hot cocoa."
Harry smiled and pulled out his money pouch and gave the man his 13 sickles and was given a mug of hot cocoa. Making his way to the second level of the bus he transfigured his mug into a thermos and cast a sticking charm on his jean jacket and tried not to think about the reason he was going to Gringotts and he could practically hear Ron's infantile rant. He could never understand exactly how good he really had it. He could also hear Hermione's explanation and minimization of his feelings.
He the thought about the night a Department of Mysteries. Replaying every moment and every decision. The horror or seeing Hermione lying on the ground. If the order had not been there, he would surrender just to get her help. Then he replayed the penultimate scene of the evening Voldemort Possessing him taunting Dumbledore. Part of him had wanted to die 'and that was the part of me that drove the bastard out.'
"The Leaky Cauldron" Springfields voice called out. Sighing he left the bus throwing his hood up he walked into Leaky cauldron his eyes downcast he moved through to the back door
"Wotcher Harry!" Tonks said a small smile gracing her face "You know Dumbledore is going to have a cow."
"And I should care why?" Harry's response caught the pink haired auror completely off-guard
"He is trying to keep you safe." Her tone filled with disbelief "You should go home. Take time and grieve."
"Merlin, shut up Nymphadora!" Harry sneered stopping her with a glance "Dumbledore is not trying to protect me. he is trying to sacrifice me. Any idiot with two braincells to rub together can see it. If he was really trying to protect me. He would make sure I had access to the information and training I needed to survive these little tests he is fond of setting up."
"Well said Mr. Potter, My nephew said much the same thing to me in May" A voice coming from the top of the stairs She was tall, lithe, her features were regal, haughty even. She was dressed in all black looked like dragon hide but he could not be sure. "He told me you might need some guidance in the decisions you would have to make today. And has asked me to be your advisor."
Tonks looked torn between surprise and dread "Aunt Cassiopeia," Tonks said with a bow "I was not aware you were in contact with Cousin Sirius."
"There are a great many things you are unaware of Nymphadora." The regal lady looked down at her great niece "Decorum being one of the bigger things. While I applaud your decision to join the Aurors. You Misuse your gift in bringing attention to yourself, I do not agree with. Your natural form is beautiful. You look just like your aunt when she was younger a vision of beauty."
"If you say so Aunt Cass" Tonks said neutrally "My fellow aurors would not appreciate me showing up in the squad room looking anything like my aunt."
"There is some truth to that dear one." Cassiopeia said offering her arm Harry cottoning on quickly took her hand and interlocked his with he "You don't seem to be as socially inept as Sirius thought you might be."
"Thank you…I think" Harry said wondering what else Sirius said
"Only good things Harry" Cassie said with a smile seeing his concern "You were broadcasting a bit. We will work on that but that is for later. Coming Nymphadora?"
"Yes Auntie" Tonks grumbled 'at least he is safe with her' she thought as they ascended the stairs into the bank where it appeared several members of the order were waiting. Remus saw Harry and sighed in relief
"I told them you would come here and that you did not run away." Remus explained the other members were looking mutinous "Hello Madam Black." Remus greeted the elegant woman.
"Now Remus we are both adults now." She said as she reached out running a finger down his cheek "I believe you can call me Cassie, don't you or maybe auntie if Nympohadora has her way."
Remus and Tonks both blushed beet red. Cassie cackled "You two are both entirely to easy. Remus I am glad you have been there for Sirius. We will talk after our business is done here."
Cassie turned to the others "I trust you gentlemen and ladies where not going to keep my great nephew from the proceedings, were you?"
"How could Harry possibly be related to you?" Molly Weasely asked not liking this woman one bit "Harry you really should have let the headmaster handle this you are to young!"
"To young for what?" Harry snapped "To young to stop Voldemort from getting the sorcerers stone, killing a basilisk and saving your daughter's life? You are welcome by the way," Harry tried to reign in his temper "You are not my mother Mrs. Weasely nor are you the one Voldemort is trying to kill. If I leave it to you and Dumbledore, I will be dead by the time I am 17." Harry opened the door motioning for the ladies to go in.
Molly looked stricken as she digested what he had just said "I am his great aunt his grandmother's sister. Cassieopeia Black, Matriarch of the Black family."
The silence pervaded the lobby of Gringotts. Harry could see Draco and his mother , and his blood boiled as Bellatrix Lestrange arrived by Portkey. He went for his wand only for Cassie to stop him "I know and understand why but if you break Gringotts law on this you will have given Voldemort Great Britain and possibly the world.
Bellatrix for he part looked completely dispassionate. She went to stand by her other sister looking to her niece "Is your mother not attending?"
Nymphadora understanding the situation answered simply "I bear her proxy we were asked to be present. She however did not wish to inflame this situation by getting into an argument with her sisters when we should all be grieving the loss of a family member."
"I used a stunner he should have dropped not flown backwards through the veil." Bella said hotly "Someone murdered Sirius but I can tell you for certain it was not me. It would have breached the covenants that my master reached with our grandfather."
"What covenants?" Nymphadora demanded
"At no time was the heir of the house Black to be endangered even if the heir opposed us." Bella explained simply "If I did so I would be banished from the family my marriage annulled and my dowry reclaimed."
"Bella, you do realize that Harry is and has been the Primary heir since 1981?" Cassieopeia said quietly "Your master and you abrogated the covenant not two weeks ago. Think on that."
Sharp breaths were drawn Draco appeared to be about to say something when his mother spoke "Sirius Blood adopted Harry when his betrothed was murdered." She said quietly "I found out at the funeral. Marlene McKinnon was my best friend. Noone else knew about them. If it had been known she would have been spared."
A goblin approached the group "The director is ready for you."
Harry stood stock still his brain piecing everything together from the fight the spell that left her wand had been a stunner. Where had the banishing spell come from? He wondered.
Draco was seething he should have been head of the family no mere woman should be commanding his family what to do."
"I am no mere woman, my great nephew's so alike your thoughts broadcasting for any to hear. With young Harry I can understand." Cassie said disappointment laced her tone "Draco unfortunately has no excuse." Narcissa embarrassment was apparent and she clamped on her son's arm hard. "Lead on noble goblin as it is often said time is money."
Harry was trying to clear his mind but the he could not stop the thoughts about the night Sirius had died he would need a pensive so he could examine his memories.
They were led into a well-appointed conference room everyone had just settled into their seats when the door opened
"I am here as proxy for Harry…." The words died on Dumbledore's lips. His visage seemed to go through several different changes before settling into an annoyed look. "Harry, I can't tell you how disappointed I am that you have left the safety of your home."
"That place has never been my home." Harry said quietly "It has only been a prison."
"It has kept you alive…" Dumbledore offered
"No, it kept me existing there has been no life there at all" Harry said turning to the director of Gringotts "Director we can begin at your leisure sir"
"Madam Black, I have here the last will and testament of Sirius Black dated June 17th 1996." Albus Dumbledore looked very nervous "The instructions I received are very clear. You are to be the executor of this will. I now turn the proceedings over to you."
"Thank you, Director Ragnok" Cassieopeia said formally. She unrolled the scroll
I, Sirius Orion Black, being of sound mind and body, hereby declare that this is my last will and testament penned by my hand June 17 1996, Witnessed by Remus Lupin and Minerva McGonagall.
To Andromeda Tonks, I welcome you, your husband and your wonderful daughter back into the fold Speak with the new Lord Black for further information.
To Narcissa Malfoy, I leave you a choice. Your husband has tried to Kill My Heir twice now and that is unacceptable you may stay married to the pillow biting jackass and be removed from the rolls of our family forever or you may rejoin your family and we will see to your and your son's care. You have 24 hours to make a decision. I urge you to stay with Aunt Cassioepeia while you make your decision for your safety as well as your son's as well either way speak to my heir
To Bellatrix Black I give you your freedom your marriage is hereby annulled your dowry reclaimed Harry will have to judge what to do next. You allowed yourself to be branded like an animal and you deliberately assaulted a pureblood family robbing Neville Longbottom of his family as surely as your master robbed my heir of his.
To Remus Lupin I leave you job of being the Advisor for House Potter and Black until such time Harry is ready to be Strike out on his own. You will receive an annual Stipend of 5000 Galleons and a lifetime supply of Wolfsbane. Grimmauld Place is yours. Look out for Harry like we discussed and for gods sake already ask the girl out she has been making cow eyes at you for nearly a year.
To Arthur and Molly Weasely, I have absolved the debt that your family has been laboring under for generations. On top of that I have left a little something for you in your vault. I have also set up vaults for all the kids to be accessed when they reach their majority.
To Ron Weasely I leave my families shares in the Chudley Cannons, apparently the ancestor who purchased controlling interest in the team did so for their wife's brother helping fulfill a lifelong dream.
To Hermione Granger I leave you a vault to be accessed when you reach your majority and access to the Black Library at Black Manor in Kent with the proviso that no books may not be removed from the premises.
To My Heir Harry James Potter, I give you your freedom. I emancipate you making you Lord Potter and Black. You may now read your parents wills and make informed decisions. I have left some few bequests for you to give on my behalf Ragnok will give you the box. The only thing I ask is that you allow Aunt Cassie to see to your training. She might look harmless don't let looks deceive you.
This leads me to my last bequest To Albus Dumbledore, I leave you my unending hate and 30 knuts. You robbed James and Lily of any true happiness toward the end of their lives, you ruined countless other lives Including Harry and My own. Harry is no longer your concern he may decide not to return to Hogwarts and to engage the Tutors for his NEWTS.
Dumbledore was shocked and his hand drifted to his wand but harry was just a hair quicker summoning the wand before albus's hand could grasp it. Surprising everyone in the room Causing the goblins standing at the corner of the room to assume an aggressive stance "I would not put to past you to obliviate or confound everyone professor. Or perhaps having a member of your order do so."
Remus and Tonks looked at each other than at the headmaster. Mrs. Weasely looked mutinously at Harry but Arthur was whispering in her ear"
"He has you pegged Headmaster" a deep voice spoke from the door way all eyes turned to the man who was just over six feet and dressed in a very stylish suit his hair was styled his face was serene but his demeanor screamed dangerous
Albus turned and balked "Jonathan this is the last place I expected to see you"
"I am here at Madam Blacks request" Jonathon said gravely "I trust our previous unfortunate encounters will not be a problem here."
He walked toward Madam black stopping momentarily at each Nymphadora, Narcissa, and Bellatrix and whispered something that either made them smile or blush. Until he finally got to Cassiopeia "Madam Black, Winston said you were looking for me. About the favor I owe you."
"Jonathon, I would like you to meet my great nephew Harry," Cassiopeia said in a measured tone "Harry this is a very old friend of mine Jonothan Wick, He will be your primary tutor for the summer."
Bellatrix got a wild look in her eye, Nymphadora had a large grin, Narcissa looked horrified, everyone else with the exception of the headmaster looked confused "I am afraid I can't allow that." The headmaster said a tight edge in his voice hoping his presence would carry the day now that the elder wand was in the next masters' hands
"Which part of I am Lord Potter and Black did you not understand." Harry snarled not realizing that as he stood picking both rings up and sliding them on one after another. "That night could have been avoided if you had spent 5 minutes to speak with me or just sent me a letter. I don't care how many titles you have or what you have to say to me. I am no longer your burden to bear headmaster."
John took a moment to read the room he had enjoyed a physical relationship with Bella before she was sold to Rudolphus Lestrange. He had been a confidant of Andromeda. On his advice she had married Ted Tonks, who while he was plain man, he was a good man. He had reminded Narcissa that if her husband ever hurt her, he would punish the man for his actions. Finally, his eyes on Harry Potter, while he knew the house of Black having worked for them a few times when he was younger, he only knew of Harry by disjointed rumors and what the Daily Prophet printed. He could see Harry's eyes on Bellatrix both angry and appraising at the same time
"Albus stop," John said softly "This is one of the last tasks I must do then I will be free and clear."
Albus looked at the man who had been a servant of the High Table for more years than Albus would like to think certainly longer than he had been alive. He knew that John was a man of singular focus and would train Harry but he wanted Harry to forgive not kill. But if John were trying to get out from under the High Table something must have changed.
Albus looked down "Lord Potter will you be returning to Hogwarts in September?"
Harry looked at his great aunt and the at Jonathan "I will discuss it with my advisors and will send you an owl."
Albus knowing there was nothing to be don rose and with the tattered remnants of his dignity left the room.
Johnathon followed Albus out of the room "Headmaster a moment of your time."
"Jonathan," Albus started to say trying to rein in his frustration.
"I know you don't like my methods." John said the aged headmaster "You were planning to sacrifice him?"
"I don't know of any other way to deal with what lies buried in his scar" Albus snapped his eyes flashing "You know full well the High Table and I do not get along, Their Tacit Support of Gellert allowed him to commit Atrocities that they still have to atone for."
"Those who treated with Gellert are long since dead." Johnathon said crisply "and while you will not treat with the table Madam Black can and has. We have consulted the Holy See and they have a ritual that can cleanse the young Mr. Potter as soon as we are finished here today our first stop is Rome. Furthermore, it is time you stopped carrying the guilt for Arianna's death if I had been a hair faster, she would never have wandered into the middle of that. While you and Aberforth loved her as brothers. She was my light in the dark. She did not see the boogeyman she just saw John."
Albus was taken aback by the raw emotion John Wick was showing. How was it that he , his lover and Aberforth had missed seeing him. "When I saw her get cut down it took every ounce of self-control I had not to kill all three of you for what you took from me… from us. It has taken me many years to feel as if I am worthy to be loved and it has been just as long since I have sought out the company of a female. Madam Black's favor is it my final act for the High Table and I will be free and she is waiting for me."
"Harry and Tom share many similarities" Albus said sadly "I don't want him to come to enjoy killing Jonathan."
"Albus, do you believe I enjoy taking a life?" John asked the elderly man his voice laced with curiosity "let me amend that question, Do you believe I would enjoy taking an innocent life?"
"No, you have always been meticulous to avoid the taking of an innocent life." The older man murmured "But, you also are and forgive me for saying this an unforgiving bastard. Another man with your skills with a lack of control or without your morals would be devastating to the wizarding world."
John smiled "Albus I know you are big on redemption, and I will admit some people are worthy for instance Severus Snape. Despite his demeanor has worked for redemption." He paused looking back to Bellatrix "While another who is dear to me is not worthy of redemption. She is a servant of evil and the High Table has decreed that if Voldemort and his merry bunch of morons get out of control again, they will allow the adjudicator to judge them all."
There was gasp from behind the two gentlemen.
Just after John and the headmaster left the room
"What did he say to you Bella?" Narcissa asked her sister
"He gave me an out of this nightmare." Bella whispered "I just have to make it to the Continental. What did he say to you?"
"He saw the top of the bruise that Lucius gave me yesterday and said he was going to kill Lucius the next time he saw him." She said demurely "Nym…"
"Call me Tonks please." The metamorph ground out "since this has become a hen session He asked me to pass on a message to my mother. What I don't understand is who he is and why he wants the message passed on."
"John is…" Bellatrix started and then looked to harry who was silently fuming "Complicated. He is the best man I know. However, Lord Black is a not so distant second."
"It also helps that he is easy on the eyes" Narcissa agreed
"Mother please you are talking about scarhead it is enough to make me ill" Draco whined "We must return home and tell father of this atrocity."
"You may return home if you want to be branded like cattle and abused like a slave." Narcissa said annoyed with how her son had been acting "Too long has your father been filling up your head with shite. No son of mine was ever going to be Lord Black. If it were not Harry Potter, it would have been a sone that Andromeda or her daughter will produce."
As Narcissa continued Bellatrix's arm started to burn intensely and they heard a gasp and sound of a hand slapping flesh as Harry's hand slammed into his forehead the pain like a spike through his eye
"He is here" Harry Ground out "and he is angry".