Harry Potter and all related Characters belong to JK Rowling
Chapter 4 - Where There's A Will…
"Luna!"
At the muffled exclamation Harry sat bolt upright and then turned to toward Ron's bed to see a still sleeping Ron hugging one of his pillows with a goofy grin on his face. Harry immediately found his shoulders shaking with laughter and quickly had to put his hand over his mouth to stop himself laughing out loud.
`Talk about me and Hermione,' he thought. `Looks like Ron's got it pretty bad himself!' Outside the sun was just creeping over the horizon and a glance at his alarm clock told Harry it was just before seven. Deciding he didn't need to get up just yet Harry laid back with his hands behind his head let a smile cross his face as an image of Hermione drifted into his mind.
`Boy, you have got it bad!' murmured Ron's voice in his head. At this Harry gave a chuckle. He'd never know love until his arrival at Hogwarts but now not only did he have a surrogate family in the Weasleys and a large number of friends, and now he had a girlfriend who he adored. The voice was right, he did have it bad but truth be told Harry didn't give a damn!
***
Harry lay awake in bed for an hour before there was a knock at the door followed by Mrs Weasley's voice calling him and Ron for breakfast.
"Whasat?" mumbled a bleary-eyed Ron pulling his head off his pillow. "Did someone say breakfast?" Harry chuckled and threw one of his pillows at his friend.
"Are you ears linked to your stomach mate `cause the only time they seem to work is when food's mentioned!"
"Sod off Harry! It's too early!" growled Ron as he rubbed at his eyes. "What is the time anyway?"
"Just before eight," said Harry.
"BEFORE eight?!" exclaimed Ron. "Ruddy hell! It's the holidays for cryin' out loud!"
"Well you don't want to waste it do you?" replied Harry with a grin as he headed for the door.
"I guess not," grumbled Ron as he reluctantly started to climb out of bed while Harry made his way out into the hall and straight to the bathroom where he showered and attempted to tame his hair. He was just stepping out the door when he felt something brush against his legs and looked down to see Crookshanks looking up at him.
"Morning you," said Harry as he bent down and rubbed the Kneezle between the ears which earned him an appreciative purr.
"Are you going to say good morning to me as well?" asked a voice laced with humour from behind Harry who grinned as he turned around to find Hermione crossing over to him, dressed in a fluffy bathrobe and wearing a broad smile while her bushy hair looked even bushier than usual due to the fact she'd just gotten up but to Harry she'd never looked more attractive.
"I was thinking about it," he murmured as he wrapped his arms around Hermione's waist while her own arms slid around his neck before Harry leaned down and placed a quick kiss on her lips before pulling back. "Good Morning."
"Morning," said Hermione before claiming another kiss.
"Ugh, you two are worse than Bill and Fleur," groused Ginny as she shoved past the pair and headed into the bathroom.
"Hey!" cried Hermione jumping out of Harry's arms but it was to late. With a cheeky grin Ginny closed the door leaving the pair standing in the hall.
"Of all the cheek!" huffed Hermione turning to Harry with a scowl. "I was going in there!"
"Not now your not," said Harry with a snort of laughter. Hermione sighed before turning back to her boyfriend who immediately took the opportunity to wrap his arms around her again. "Still, I'm not complaining, gives me more time with my favourite girl!"
"Better not let Hedwig hear you say that, she might get jealous!" sniggered Hermione causing Harry to laugh.
"I've never really seen Hedwig as girlfriend material," he chuckled. "More like a mother hen!" This as it turned out was the final straw as Hermione began to giggle hysterically and Harry himself was shaking with laughter before Ron's head suddenly appeared out the boys' door with a puzzled look on his face.
"What's up?" he asked curious to understand why his two best friends where in hysterics.
"No…no…nothing!" gasped Harry as he wiped at the tears of laughter rolling down his face while Hermione pressed her face into his chest as she continued shaking with laughter. Ron frowned then, deciding they weren't go to share, gave a shrug and vanished back into the boys room leaving the two still shaking with laughter which they slowly got under control before Hermione pulled her tear streaked face away from Harry's chest and looked over towards the door then up at Harry.
"I hope he doesn't think we're cutting him out," she said as she wiped at her eyes with her gown.
"I doubt it," said Harry. "It's not like me and him sometimes don't share a joke with you. And besides, I think he'll have more important things to worry about than a missed joke!"
"That's true," agreed Hermione. "I just don't want to make Ron feel like a third wheel or anything."
"And we won't," said Harry with a smile giving Hermione a kiss on the forehead just as the bathroom door opened.
"What was that racket?" said Ginny as she stepped out of the bathroom drying her hair on a towel as she look suspiciously at the pair.
"Oh, just talking about the other woman in my life," said Harry with a shrug.
"The other woman!" exclaimed Ginny looking alarmed.
"Yes, you know, the small one with white feathers," said Hermione with a grin. At this Ginny's shoulders sagged with relief before she glared at the pair.
"Gits!" she hissed. "I thought you were talking about Cho!" At this Hermione grimaced while Harry gave a small smile and shrugged.
"Nah, she was just a crush `cause I didn't want to risk our friendship. I never actually loved her!" At this he now slipped his arm around Hermione's shoulders and pulled her closer. "This is the only girl I've ever loved," he said and with that placed another kiss against his girlfriend's forehead causing Hermione to blush whilst Ginny's face broke into false pout.
"Gee, thanks Harry," she muttered causing Harry to grin while Hermione sniggered softly as he released her and pulled Ginny into a hug.
"Well, there is the girl I think of as my sister, but I've got a feeling she'd understand if I didn't love her in the same way!"
"I'm just glad you two finally worked it out," said Ginny, her pout vanishing to be replaced by a broad grin. "Ron told me one night last term if you two didn't work it out soon he was thinking about asking the twins for help!"
At this Hermione's eyes went wide and she shuddered whilst Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Oh did he now," he growled just as Ron, unaware of what Ginny had just said, emerged from his and Harry's room.
"Great, bathroom's free!" said the red head making a beeline for the door.
"Oh no you don't!" cried Hermione and dived past Ginny and Harry through the door closing it firmly.
"Well of all the….," started Ron placing his hands on his hip but then noticed the glare on Harry's face which quickly sent a chill down his spine.
"What?" gulped the youngest male Weasley taking a step back without knowing it.
"Set the twins on us would you?" said Harry taking a step towards Ron who quickly took another step back before he realised what Harry was talking about and his gaze now snapped towards his sister.
"Ginny!" he howled but it was to late as Ginny was already disappearing into the girls room forcing Ron to turning his attention on the advancing Harry, who though a few inches shorter than Ron, was looking very scary even though Ron knew Harry didn't even have his wand with him.
"So, got anything to say before I deal with you?" growled Harry softly whilst trying not to burst into laughter at the expression on Ron's face.
"Harry!" squeaked Ron not noticing the doors to both the bathroom and the girls' room open slightly. "Please mate, I wouldn't have really done it! It was just one of my silly ideas!" It was at this point Ron now realised his back was against the wall literally and that he had nowhere to go.
"Harry please!" he whimpered. Harry just continued to glare at him, then in one swift movement grabbed Ron either side of the head, pulled him down to Harry's height and placed a kiss on Ron's forehead before releasing Ron's head and took a step back grinning broadly whilst Ron just stared at him in shock.
At the same time muffled guffaws came from the direction of where Hermione and Ginny had been watching whilst Harry clapped Ron on the shoulder.
"Just be careful mate, I forgive you but I can't speak for Hermione," and with that he disappeared back into his and Ron's room while his friend's still stunned gaze slowly turned towards the bathroom door as it opened and Hermione stepped giving him a mischievous smile before stepping into her room leaving Ron on his own on the landing. He now took a deep breath and swallowed hard.
"Me and my big mouth," he hissed as he staggered into the bathroom thankful that he hadn't truly embarrassed himself by wetting himself.
***
Ten minutes later Harry, Hermione and Ginny were sitting at the kitchen table chatting happily amongst themselves while Mr Weasley sat reading the Daily Prophet when Ron shuffled into the kitchen running a hand through his hair and a sheepish look on his on the face.
"Well it's about time," huffed Molly as Ron slipped into his chair.
"Sorry Mum," he mumbled as he shot a guilty look around at the others who grinned broadly at him.
"So, you thought about getting the twins involved in my and Harry's personal affairs did you?" whispered Hermione raising an eyebrow. "I should be very annoyed at that!"
"Hermione, please!" begged Ron. "Look, the only reason I said it was because you two were really getting on my nerves by missing all the bloody signs that were right in front of you! Plus there was the fact that Snape was being a real git that day. I wouldn't have really done it, for starters I'm not THAT stupid, plus you'd of both kill if I had…that is if there was any of me left after Mum had done with me!" At this he glanced towards Molly and winced before turning back to face the others with a pained expression. Harry and Hermione now exchanged glances before both turned to back to Ron.
"Alright, I suppose we can let you off," said Hermione with a heavy sigh. "But there's a condition!"
"Name it!" said Ron without hesitation. Hermione now leaned across the table and stared straight at the redhead.
"You've got to promise to keep your nose out of our private lives, not just mine and Harry's but Ginny's too!"
"But Ginny's…" started Ron but was cut off by the death glare Hermione gave him. He quickly shot a look towards Harry and Ginny who were both grinning broadly then gave a dejected sigh and nodded.
"Alright," he sighed knowing when he was beaten.
"Good," said Hermione just as Mrs Weasley walked over levitating four plates which she now set down in front of the teenagers.
"All right you four, eat up," she said before glancing at the clock then turning to her husband. "Shouldn't you be going Arthur? It's gone eight-thirty."
"Yes, I suppose I'd better go," said Mr Weasley with a sigh as he folded up his newspaper and slowly rose to his feet. It was at this moment that Ron saw and grabbed the opportunity to pull the attention away from himself.
"Hey Dad, whose gonna be the new Minister?" he asked mentally crossing his fingers and praying his plan would work and it just so happened that the god of fate decided he'd had a rough enough morning already as Ginny, Hermione and Harry all turned to face Mr Weasley. Mr Weasley himself seemed pleased that the youngsters were showing an interest in Politics and now pursed his lips thoughtfully.
"Well, I'd say the favourite would be Algernon Mulligan, the Head of the Ancient Artefacts Department although Sebastian Downey-Ffolkes from the Central Archive may get a lot of support. But then again they might not even get a vote if Dumbledore publicly supports one candidate in particular, with the way things are most of the Wizengamot will be tripping over themselves to show their support for him after last year."
"What about you Dad?" asked Ginny curiously but before Arthur could respond Molly intervened.
"Not now Ginny, your father's got to go," and with that she handed her husband his briefcase and kissed him on the cheek before step back.
"See you later," said Arthur with a smile and then with a pop disappeared. Molly now gave a satisfied nod then turned to the four youngsters.
"Alright then," she said with a broad smile. "Now before the others get here Ginny, would you and Hermione go and clean up in the drawing room please and Ron if you'd go and start in the hall." The three, knowing it was pointless to argue, all got to their feet and headed off to get the cleaning items whilst Harry tuned to Mrs Weasley.
"What would you like me to do Mrs Weasley?" he asked at which Mrs Weasley gave a small smile.
"Oh Harry, don't you remember? Your going with Professor Dumbledore to see Mr Broomgate in Diagon Alley," she said softly.
"Oh, yeah," said Harry sheepishly. "I guessed I'd forgotten."
"That's alright dear," said Molly. "Why don't you go and grab you cloak, the Professor should be here soon." At this Harry nodded and quickly headed back up to his room and removed his cloak from his trunk. As he did so his hand brushed against the cardboard box he'd placed the smashed mirror in causing Harry to close his eyes and sigh softly.
"I'm sorry Sirius," he murmured. "But I promise you, no-one else is going to get killed by my stupidity, from now I think before I act!"
"I'm sure Sirius will be pleased to hear that," said Dumbledore's voice causing Harry to jump and turn to see the Headmaster standing in the doorway.
"Jeez Professor," said Harry taking a calming breath. "I wish you wouldn't do that."
"My apologies Harry," said Dumbledore with a wry smile. "A bad habit that I'm afraid I just can't break. Are you ready?"
"Almost," said Harry turning back to his trunk and pulled out his coin pouch and shoved it into his pocket then turned to Dumbledore and took breath.
"Alright, lets get this over with," he said with a small smile. Dumbledore nodded and the two headed back downstairs where they found Hermione, Ron and Ginny waiting for them. As Harry reached the bottom step Hermione hurled herself at him wrapping her arms around his neck.
"I wish I could come with you," she whispered softly as tears trickled down her cheeks.
"I know, I wish you could too," said Harry. "But Dumbledore said I've got to this alone." At this he felt Hermione nod before she stepped back and gave him a teary smile before stepping aside to allow an equal teary-eyed Ginny to give him a hug.
"See you when you get back," she whispered.
"Thanks Sis," said Harry with a smile. At the word `Sis' Ginny managed a grin and sniffed as she made her way over to Hermione while Harry turned to Ron. The two looked at each other briefly before suddenly Ron pulled Harry into a hug (albeit a very MANLY hug).
"Harry, we should go," said Dumbledore causing Harry and Ron to separate. No words were need between the pair and Ron now clapped Harry on the shoulder before the raven-haired teenager headed towards the kitchen. As he stepped past Dumbledore he didn't notice the headmaster turn and wink at his three friends before heading into the kitchen. Ron now draped an arm round each of the girls and gave them a gently squeeze.
"Come on you two," he said with a chuckle. We'd better get that cleaning done otherwise Mum's gone go ballistic!"
"Right," said Ginny with a sniff while Hermione just nodded before the girls disappeared into the living room leaving Ron on his own in the hall. He now sighed heavily and reached for his duster.
***
As Harry stepped out of the fireplace in the reception area of Broomgate and Maskelyne he found Dumbledore talking to a formidable looking middle-aged witch who Harry thought resembled Aunt Marge. Right now however she wore a rather nervous expression as Dumbledore spoke to her in hushed tones before she gave a nod and pointed to a door on the left-hand side of the room. Dumbledore now gave a nod of his own before turning and walking over to Harry.
"We're a little early and Hector is still in a meeting so we'll wait for him in his Office," said Dumbledore at which Harry nodded before following the Professor across the room over to the door the Witch had pointed to. As they approached the door swung open of its own volition and Harry now followed Dumbledore through into a narrow corridor over looking Diagon Alley and at the end of which stood another door, which swung open of, it's own volition as they approached it and stepped through into the Office.
***
For a moment Harry wondered if he'd stepped into Ron's bedroom back at the Burrow as it looked like one of Fred and George's pranks had exploded as larges tomes and huge scrolls of parchment were scattered haphazardly around the room. A large desk dominated the far end of the room and on the wall behind stood a large portrait frame, which was currently empty.
"Ah, it seems Rufus is visiting someone," said Dumbledore with amusement as he crossed the room to where two chairs now appeared in front of the desk. Dumbledore now turned to Harry and indicated for him to sit down whilst Dumbledore sat in the other chair and met Harry's gaze with a slight smile.
"Harry, before Hector arrives I have to ask you a question if you don't mind?"
"No Sir," said Harry. At this Dumbledore now leaned forward slightly.
"I need to ask if you've told any of the others about the Prophecy?" At this Harry winced and took a deep breath.
"No Sir," he replied sombrely. "I…I tried to at the end of term but I just couldn't do it."
"I understand," said Dumbledore. "But I think they have a right to know yes?" Harry could only nod in response at the old man who now gave a small smile.
"You shouldn't fear what will happen when you tell them Harry, I have a strong feeling that Miss Granger in particular probably has a good idea of what it is already. They are you friends Harry, take it from me, the prophecy won't change that."
"But I'll be putting them in danger…"
"Which they'll be in anyway if Voldemort wins," pointed out Dumbledore causing Harry to look straight at him. "Besides, although the prophecy said that the final fight will be between you and Voldemort it says nothing about your friends not coming along for moral support. Remember what saved you the first time Harry. It was your mother's love for you, and if you have the love and support of your friends I feel sure you can win!"
For the first time since Sirius's death Harry felt a huge weight lift from his shoulders. Dumbledore was right, with his friends love and support maybe, just maybe he COULD defeat Voldemort. With his confidence renewed he now turned to Dumbledore with a look of grim determination on his face.
"I'll tell them tonight." Dumbledore merely nodded in response just at the door opened and a short stocky old man with a shock of grey hair hurried in.
"Sorry, so sorry," he panted as he hurried across the room while Dumbledore and Harry both stood up from their seats. "Albus, it's good to see you again!"
"You too Hector," replied Dumbledore before turning to Harry. "And may I introduce Harry Potter."
"Ah, yes, yes, of course," said Hector Broomgate taking Harry's hand and shaking it. "Very pleased to meet you although I wish it wasn't under such damn gloomy circumstances."
"Thank you Sir," said Harry feeling moderately surprised that the man hadn't even bothered looking for his scar and didn't even seem that star struck.
"Yes, well, be seated, be seated," replied Broomgate before turning to his books and parchment pulling out his wand as he did so.
"Accio Harry Potter files!" he command and several files shot out of various piles and flew straight over to his desk which he now sat behind and pulled a pair of pince-nez out of a pocket and perched them on the end of his nose.
"Right, we have two matters to discuss," he said consulting a scrap of parchment. "The will of Sirius Black and…" At this he tailed off as he scrabbled through the file. "Ah yes, here we are. A lifetime ban from Quidditch."
At the mention of the Quidditch ban that Delores Umbridge had placed on him Harry shot a look at Dumbledore but the old man continued to look straight at Broomgate although Harry could see a wry smile on the Professor's face before Harry turned back to look at the Solicitor himself as Broomgate started tutting as he read the file.
"Dear oh dear," he murmured softly, a small smile crossing her face. "What on earth was she thinking when she did this?" Broomgate now looked up at Harry and gave a small snort as he shook his head.
"I can tell you now Harry, that Delores Umbridge had absolutely no authority to give you a lifetime ban! Suspension yes, but not a ban. Only the Britain and Ireland Quidditch Association can do that."
"And what did Crevan say when you spoke to him," asked Dumbledore with a chuckle in his throat.
"Well let's just say I'm glad I don't speak Gaelic as I have a feeling he used many of the more colourful words in that language," replied Broomgate. "The upshot is however the BIQA will not accept or enforce the ban meaning Harry if free to resume playing at his leisure. That is…," he added quickly with a smirk. "Unless you plan to suspend him Albus?"
"And have Minerva mad at me for sidelining her best seeker?" said Dumbledore raising an eyebrow. "I might be slightly eccentric Hector but I'm not mad!"
Harry managed to stifle a snigger at this whilst Broomgate leaned back in his chair.
"Well Harry, I hope you can help Gryffindor win another Quidditch Cup. We were going through a bit of a dry spell when I was there," chuckled the Solicitor before closing the file and throwing it into a pile behind him before turning to the next folder. Glancing at it Broomgate's smile faded slightly.
"Ah well," he sighed looking at Harry with a sympathetic expression. "Would you like me to read the whole document or just tell you the general gist of it?"
"I think just the details will do for now Hector," replied Dumbledore before glancing at Harry. "Unless of course you want to hear the entire document Harry?"
"No Sir," said Harry with a sigh really wishing Hermione was with him right now.
"Alright," said Broomgate adjusting his pince-nez slightly, "Let's see now, well to start with he's left you the properties of Grimmauld Place and also the Cottage given to him by your grandfather." At this Broomgate paused and flipped over to the next page at which a slight frown crossed his face.
"It would appear that Sirius left you all his personal affects including that infernal motorbike of his," said the Solicitor with a grunt of disapproval while at the same time Dumbledore gave a cough that sounded curiously like a muffed chuckle and Harry just grinned before Broomgate turned back to the parchment.
"The next item is Sirius's personal fortune," said the older man leaning back in his chair and steeping his fingers. "Now although he'd been cut off from the Black family fortune Sirius WAS quite wealthy in his on right. And as ironic and macabre as it might sound but his stay is Azkaban helped his fortune increase quite substantially. From the information that I've obtained from Gringotts Sirius's accounts, which I might add he held under another name, are worth approximately three million galleons."
Harry slumped in his seat. More gold, he didn't really need or want more gold, he rather have Sirius back but knew that was impossible (at least without a time-turner and the truth was that despite thinking about it during the summer Harry had come to the conclusion that even if he stole one he could end up make thinks worse rather than better). He now gave a sigh as Broomgate turned the page and gave a small nod and um-ed and err-ed a lot before looking up at Harry again. "It seems that while you receive the bulk of the estate Sirius did make several bequeathments…very large bequeathments I might add." And with that he began to read from a list reading the names of Harry's friends and their families and stating how much each was to receive. As he did so Harry's discomfort at the prospect of receiving Sirius's fortune turned to shock at his Godfather's generosity.
After Broomgate finished Harry took a deep breath and looked at Dumbledore then at Broomgate. "Shouldn't they have been hear for you to tell them?" he asked with a puzzled frown. Broomgate now chuckled and shook his head.
"Why do you think Sirius left strict instructions that only you and Albus were to be here Harry? He wanted you to be the one who told your friends and I think I have an idea why but I'm not going to say."
"Oh," said Harry looking at Broomgate with a puzzled frown whilst the small man now glanced at the parchment then back at Harry.
"We now come to the final article," he said softly. "Your guardianship." Out the corner of his eye Harry saw Dumbledore stiffen slightly and a quick glance at the Professor told Harry that even he wasn't sure what Sirius's will said on this matter.
"Now Albus, if I recall you and Sirius had…a disagreement on this matter," said Broomgate softly.
"We did," sighed Albus.
"Well, it seems in the end Sirius listened to you although I'm not sure your going to be totally happy at his choice." At this Dumbledore closed his eyes and sighed whilst Harry shot puzzled looks between the two.
"Who is it?" asked Dumbledore simply.
"Tonks," came back the reply. For a moment the only noise that could be heard was the clock in one corner before Dumbledore began to chuckle softly whilst Broomgate grinned.
"I thought you'd like that," said the younger man. Harry meanwhile felt a little stunned. Tonks was his new guardian? But why not Remus, or the Weasleys?
"Because as a Werewolf Remus is not permitted to be your guardian," replied Dumbledore's voice from Harry's left causing him to realise he'd actually voiced his question out loud.
"And as for the Weasleys," continued Dumbledore as Harry turned to face him. "Molly only tolerates you going to Privett Drive as the Dursleys are family. But if she and Arthur were made your guardians…" At this Dumbledore grimaced and Harry found himself grinning knowing that if the Weasleys had been made his Guardians Molly would demand that Dumbledore allow him to stay at the Burrow.
"I think I understand Sir," he replied whilst behind the desk Broomgate now closed the file.
"I do believe that is everything," he said slowly. "Do you have any questions Harry?"
"No Sir, I don't think so," said Harry. Broomgate nodded and now placing several items into a pouch before he rose from his chair and rounded his desk and handed the pouch to Harry.
"There you go Harry," he said with a sad smile. "I'm truly sorry about Sirius, he was a good man despite what many thought."
"Thank you sir," replied Harry taking the pouch before he and Dumbledore rose.
"If there's anything else you need don't hesitate to floo me," added Broomgate before offering Dumbledore his hand.
"Many thanks Hector."
"Any time Albus." Dumbledore now turned to Harry and with a nod the pair turned and left the room.
-->