"This hearing of Wizengamot to determine the validity of the Last Will and Testament of Sirius Black will now come to order. I, Amelia Bones shall be proceeding over this hearing. For the record, in attendance we have the full board of the Wizengamot, Remus Lupin, Harry Potter, Andromeda Black, Nymphadora Tonks, and Narcissia Malfoy. Headmaster Albus Dumbledore will be stepping aside from his roll on the Wizengamot to act as council for Mr. Potter. Please read the full text of the will."
I, Sirius Black, being of sound mind and body, do declare before these two witnesses this to be my last will and testament.
Harry, I must first apologize to you for not being around anymore for you. I have been your legal guardian for the last fifteen years. I deeply regret spending twelve of those years in Azkaban.
I have asked Arthur and Molly Weasley to continue that role as your legal guardian until you become of age. To that extent, if everyone agrees, I have set a sum aside from the Black Family Fortune to help them in anyway they need. Admittedly, it is a small amount, but should help in any case.
Please understand I have loved you as the son I will never have. Lily and James would be immensely pleased with how you have grown up. You have inherited the best traits of both your parents. Lily was always fair and willing to help others, and James was fun and outgoing. Both of them were above all honest and caring.
Ok, now on to the inheritance part.
The Black fortune is yours, minus the amount set aside for the Weasley's to help support you until you are of age. I don't have the exact amount, but my solicitor at Gringotts will have the accurate figures for you. Rest assured, it is sufficient for you to live a full and happy life.
The Black family mansion at 12 Grimmauld place is now yours. Unfortunately this also includes Kreacher, maybe you can reform him, but I think he is beyond that, I suggest adding his head to the wall with his ancestors. I only ask you to allow the tenants from the past year to remain as long as they require. Otherwise you are more than welcome to gut the whole place and start over.
I have held in trust your parents' estate. It consists of their properties in Godric's Hollow and on Privet Drive. They are now yours. Their cottage can be found there along with their graves. Albus collected many of your parents' personal belongings after they died. My Gringott's solicitor has specific instructions to give them only to you.
I must also apologize for not taking you to your parents' graves. I was hoping to do that this summer after your stay at the Dursley's was over. Please ask Albus or Remus to take you there when you are ready. I think you need to do this soon Harry.
Please accept my apology for not being there for you any longer. You are a wonderful person, and please remember you are never alone when you have the love and support of your friends.
Love from EternityWitnessed bySirius Black
Albus Dumbledore
Remus Lupin
Harry was visibly moved by the words of Sirius, sentiments he knew Sirius held for him, but never had time to share with him those thoughts.
"The final disposition of this will shall depend on the verdict of the Wizengamot on the guilt or innocence of Sirius Black. To that extent, I surrender the floor to Headmaster Dumbledore."
"Thank you. First I wish to state for the record that Sirius Black was not responsible for the murder of the twelve people and Peter Pettigrew for which he was improperly imprisoned. He had discovered the location of Peter after the murder of the Potters and tracked him to the location of that conflict. There, Peter feigned his death and caused the deaths of those innocent lives around him.
"I, too, was convinced Sirius was to blame, because like everyone else, I had been led to believe he was the secret keeper to the Potter's home. That had been switched at the last minute to Pettigrew. Unfortunately all other parties involved are currently dead, except, of course for Peter Pettigrew."
"That's impossible, sir, how can he be alive when there were so many witnesses to his death? And we did find proof he was there, in his finger."
"I have living witnesses to prove he was seen alive nearly a year after Sirius escaped from Azkaban. I would like to call Remus Lupin to testify to that event. He was physically present when Pettigrew was discovered at Hogwarts."
"I must object," an unnamed member spoke out. "We all are aware of Mr. Lupin's condition. I'm afraid that doesn't make him a reliable witness."
"He has agreed to have a dose of Veritaserum administered to prove the facts."
"I don't believe that would be sufficient. Do you have another witness?"
"I have one other. My Potion's Master was also present at the time."
"Professor Snape, are you prepared to testify to this?"
"Yes sir. In spite of my personal feelings toward Potter and Black, I believe that justice must prevail." He answered through clinched teeth, while his dead black eyes attempted to burn a hole through Professor Dumbledore. "However, since I have provided the Veritaserum for these proceedings, there may be a point of conflict."
"This is true professor, but your services and honesty in other matters have proven that you can avoid these conflicts of interest in this matter. You may proceed."
Harry, cringed at the fact that his fate hung in Professor Snape's hands.
"Please sir," Harry stood. "May I speak to Professor Dumbledore in private?"
"You may, since this affects you the most. We will adjourn for 15 minutes."
"Professor, I can't…"
"Listen to the details again? I understand, but…"
"NO…. I can't remember what happened that night."
"Harry? Why?"
He pulled his pocket watch from the front pocket of his jeans, and held it out to him. "I have them in here. I couldn't stand to have them any more."
"Ahh, I understand. There's time for you to retrieve them, if you wish. But I don't expect you need to testify."
"I really don't want to be here to listen; I know it won't go well."
"Rubbish Harry. Severius has your best interests to heart, he doesn't show it, but believe me; he is on your side. If you'd rather wait outside, I can have Arthur wait with you."
"Thank, you. That would be fine."
Dumbledore left Harry outside, and had Mr. Weasley summoned to the outer chamber and returned to the hearing. After an eternity, the hearing was concluded, and Harry was summoned inside to hear the verdict. As he was led to his seat, he noticed a pair of familiar faces that had just arrived.
"Mr. Potter, would you please have a seat. We have a few questions for you. First, what was your relationship with the accused?"
"He was my Godfather. I never knew him until two years ago. At first I thought he was after me, but when I discovered the truth, I knew he was trying to protect me and avenge my parents' murder. I helped him escape and helped him remain hidden the past two years. I would have done anything to still have him here."
"So you admit to your part in his escape from Azkaban?"
"NO. I never said that. I helped him escape from Hogwarts when he was caught."
"And did you accomplish this on your own?
"Yes, I---"
"NO he had my help too." Hermione stood and announced her part in the escape.
"Miss Granger? Please come forward. Since we were unaware about your involvement, please tell us your part in his escape."
Hermione relived her role in helping Buckbeak and Sirius escape, omitting the time turner.
"And is this an accurate depiction of the events, Mr. Potter?"
"Y-Yes."
"Then the verdict will stand as this.
"The final judgment of this hearing is that Sirius Black shall be held in the prison of Azkaban for the period of six months for his role in the corruption of the two minor wizards and a fine in the sum of ten galleons, the term shall be commuted to time served. All other charges are dismissed. The charges against Miss Granger and Mr. Potter shall also be dropped as they were and are minor wizards. However, a fine of 2 galleons shall be levied against each for their roles in this.
"The final disposition of the will shall be executed as documented by Mr. Black, as he is now innocent of the original charges.
"Mr. Potter, you shall take into your possession on your 17th birthday the estates of the Potter family and the Black family. Mr. Weasley shall hold these in trust for you, as your guardian until that time.
"We also understand there is a mitigating situation where you must return to your Aunt and Uncle's home during the summer months, this, unfortunately must still be enforced until your 17th birthday.
"This case is dismissed."
- - -
As the crowd left the courtroom, Harry stayed in his seat until the room was nearly empty. He didn't want to talk about what just happened. Harry had just been made wealthier then even Malfoy. Hermione walked over to him and sat next to him.
"You're being a real prat, you know that?" She sighed, "If you don't want our friendship any more, that's your choice. It's not one either Ron or I want, but if you want to talk to either of us, we'll be ready. I'll always be there when you need someone. That's all I wanted to say. Take care of yourself, Harry Potter." She gave him a farewell kiss on the cheek, stood and walked from the room.
Harry stood to follow, he knew he was being stupid, and when he walked out of the room, he saw his two friends in an embrace. He retreated behind the door and waited for them to leave. He was not surprised that they had become so close, since he was now out of the picture. He again felt like he was in the way.
His escape was stopped by his new guardian, Mr. Weasley. "Harry, I didn't know Sirius had left that clause in the will. If you want me to be your guardian, I'd be proud to welcome you into my family, officially."
"It's fine by me, I really don't care. You can keep whatever money Sirius left in trust. I don't want it; use it for Ron and Ginny." He pulled away from his new guardian, and left for his rooms at the Leaky Cauldron.
- - -
The day after the hearing for Sirius Black was Harry's sixteenth birthday. The first birthday, since first learning about being a wizard that he truly felt alone. He wished, deep down he could have a normal birthday, like a normal kid, but he knew that would never happen. Reluctantly, he decided to spend the day on his own in Diagon Alley.
Downstairs, Tom the bartender held a note from the Wealseys inviting him to the Burrow for dinner tonight. He picked up a quill and scribbled a "NO" on the note and handed it back the Tom. "Here, send this back."
His birthday passed with little notice from the rest of the wizarding world. Not ever an owl to wish him a happy birthday. It seemed his plan to alienate his friends had worked, he was now alone.
He had a quiet meal by himself, and as usual, returned to his room for another night's sleep. Since he purchased the small Pensieve, his nights have been easier to take, no more visions of death, no more waking in a cold sweat.
Soon he would experience a return to his troubles. The burning of his forehead foretold him of the danger approaching.