Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, JK Rowling does. Waner Brothers own the film rights and stuff. I just own the plot of this story.
A/N: This story may contain philosophies and views on religion that are objection to some people. Whilst it will not "bash" any religion for the sake of it, the views expressed by the various characters of this story may not sit well with some members of the reading public. If you have staunch views on religion and are not open to others opinions and views, please refrain from reading this story. If you do read it and find it objectional, stop reading.
Thank you.
Lord Kronos
It was a perfectly ordinary Sunday in Little Whinging, Surrey; the neighbours were out lovingly tending their immaculate lawns, which had only just recovered from the previous summer's drought. However there was one boy, Harry Potter, who, whilst tending the front yard of his aunt and uncle, was not doing it lovingly, carefully yes, but not lovingly. How could he lovingly care for something of his uncle's, after all the abuse that had been heaped on him? Harry was at breaking point.
The neighbours retreated to the inside of their homes as the midday sun climbed higher in the sky. Harry wished that he too could go inside where it was cooler. Harry's uncle, Vernon Dursley, had other ideas for Harry that day, He was not allowed back into the house until the front yard had been weeded, hedges trimmed, roses pruned, and lawn mowed.
Harry wished he was at Hogwarts, his school, or at The Burrow, his best friend Ron Weasely's home. "Or even..." Harry shook himself off. He would not think about that. That was Grimmauld Place, the former residence of the only man to escape Azkaban Prison... the last of The Ancient and Noble House of Black... Harry's Godfather... Sirius Black. Sirius was dead now, and it was all Harry's fault, or so he kept telling himself.
Harry stood up, looked down the street and wiped his brow with the back of his dirty covered hand. Harry had one thing on his mind at the moment, and it was not gardening, a question, why? Ever since the vents of that fateful night not even two weeks ago, when he journeyed to the Ministry of Magic with Ron, Hermione, Neville, Ginny and Luna and lost his Godfather, he had been asking the same question, why? Why did he not put a greater effort into learning Occlumency? Then Voldemort would not have been able to send Harry that false vision. Why had he not opened the gift from Sirius sooner? Why did he not listen to Hermione when she said she believed it to be a trap? Why?
Harry, still standing, was startled out of his thoughts by a loud crack. "The changing of the guard," Harry thought sarcastically. He spied a cat slinking away from where he heard the noise. Harry frowned; it was probably one of Mrs Figg's many cats, making sure that Mundungus arrived for his shift.
"Boy..." Vernon started from the window.
"Just stretching, Uncle Vernon," Harry interrupted.
"Okay, don't be too long out there." Vernon had taken Harry's interruption to mean that they were being watched by his own kind and as such, he needed to put on a civil face towards the boy.
Harry knelt back down and continued to weed the bed of petunias.
Harry stood up an hour later, the yard finally finished, he walked over to the hosepipe to wash his hands and to hose down the edging. Looking up, Harry noticed something rather odd; There were three owls flying in a wide circle, high up, around the area of Little Whinging. They apparently couldn't find the whoever they were supposed to deliver their letters to.
Harry walked around the back and into the kitchen. Thankfully, Petunia, his mothers sister; his aunt, and Vernon were in the lounge room watching TV. Harry climbed the stairs to the smallest bedroom, silently closing the door behind him. Perhaps if he could remain unnoticed, he wouldn't be given anymore chores for a while.
Leaning up against the door, Harry looked across at his bed. Contemplating taking a nap, he got one of the biggest surprises of his life since finding out he was a wizard. There in the middle of his bed sat a tabby cat, apparently reading a book Harry had left open on his bed. "Professor McGonagall, what brings you here?" Harry asked the cat. Harry stared as the cat transformed very quickly into a stern looking lady.
"Mr Potter, Harry..." the professor started, her stern exterior cracking to show a soft and compassionate soul. "I have some news for you. Professor Dumbledore thought it best to wait until you left here to tell you, but I believe otherwise."
"Professor?" Harry asked, starting to become worried for the safety of his friends.
"Harry," Professor McGonagall said soothingly, "there is nothing to worried about. Everyone is fine," noticing that Harry was becoming worried, presumably for the safety of his friends. "I am here, against Dumbledore's wishes I might add, to escort you to Gringotts Bank. Do you have your letter?"
"What letter? Why do I need to go to Gringotts?" Harry asked confusedly, though relieved to know that no harm had befallen his friends, "yet".
"You do not have the letter?" McGonagall looked outraged. "I shall be giving Albus a piece of my mind when I return. No matter," she said more to herself than to Harry.
With that, Professor McGonagall raised her wand ("where did that come from?" Harry wondered) and flicked it in a series of circles and figure eights so fast, Harry lost count of the number of repetitions. All the while, the professor was murmuring under her breath.
McGonagall just stood there and waited whilst breathing deeply. Thirty seconds later, the thee owls that Harry had seen circling the neighbourhood earlier, flew in through the now open window.
Hedwig, who had been indifferent to the happenings of the room, gave an indignant hoot at the sight of one owl in particular who refused to land, flying around the room. Harry had to jump and catch the offensive owl, Pig.
"Harry, do you mind if I have a seat?" McGonagall asked.
"What, of course, Professor," Harry answered quickly stepping across the room and pulling out the desk chair for Professor McGonagall.
"That took a bit out of me."
"Professor, what was stopping the owls from getting through?"
"Some of Albus' work." McGonagall answered shortly.
"Dumb - Professor Dumbedore's work?"
"Yes, he thought it best that you do not attend Gringotts today. So to stop you from going, it seems he blocked all you mail."
"So... why doesn't he want me to go to Gringotts?"
"Mr Potter - Harry, I do not know. You had best open you mail now, we have to get going soon."
Harry removed the three letters from their respective owls, they flew off again, out the window, not waiting for drink of water or a treat. Harry put the one from Ron to the side, and picked up one of the other two. Turning it over, he saw that it was the letter Professor McGonagall was talking about. Opening it up he slowly read through it.
Wednesday, the last
Dear Mr Potter,
Our Condolences for your recent loss. Mister Sirius Nigellus Black was a good customer of ours. As such, it is our unfortunate duty to conduct the reading of his Last Will and testament, no later than three weeks after his untimely death, at Gringotts Wizard Bank.
The reading will take place at two this afternoon, all named parties are required to attend, else, as in accordance with the terms of Mr. Black's Will, they shall forfeit their entire inheritance.
Upon arrival at the bank, ask any attendant to take you to 'The Reading Room'.
Again, please accept our deepest sympathies, Mister Potter.
Vice-President Ripshnook
"Professor, I know this is probably a stupid question, but haven't I already missed the reading?" Harry asked confusedly after reading when the reading was to take place. "It says that it was sent last Wednesday, and in the letter it says that the reading was that day..."
"Harry, it's magic, remember? That 'stuff' you do whilst at school?" Minerva answered with a light smile creeping onto her face. "The goblins like to keep things as straight forward as possible."
"Told you it would be a stupid question," a smile making it's way onto Harry's face as well.
"Yes, well. Are you ready? We have to be off quickly now," Said Professor McGonagall, regaining her stern look.
"Yeah, how are we getting there?" Harry asked curiously, considering it appeared that Professor Dumbledore didn't know his Transfiguration professor was here.
"Knight Bus. Come along now, Harry. We mustn't keep the goblins waiting."
*****
As they climbed off the Knight Bus outside The Leaky Cauldron, McGonagall was quick to steer Harry through the throng of people sitting down to a late lunch. Diagon Alley was even busier, if it was even possible, than the when students were buying scool supplies. Thankfully Professor McGonagall made quick work of the walk up to Gringotts.
Once inside, Harry heard his professor let out an audible sigh. It was then that Harry realised just how much his teacher was risking by bringing him here, seemingly against Dumbledore's wishes, not to mention the risk of being seen by possible Death Eaters. McGonagall again placed a hand on Harry's shoulder and steered him towards a free teller.
"Yes?" asked the goblin, not looking up from the large tome.
Um..." Harry started, seeing that his teacher didn't seem to be going to be doing the talking. "Where is the Reading Room?"
At this the goblin looked up, his eyes straying up to Harry's scar. "Gripshnook!" a goblin came scurrying over. "Take these two to The Reading Room."
Not another word was spoken, Gripshnook beckoned them to follow with his finger. Obliging, Harry and Professor McGonagall followed out through a door into a large spacious corridor. Half way down there was a set of double doors ajar, letting the light from inside spill out onto the floor of the corridor. By the time McGonagall and Harry caught up with the goblin, he had pushed one of the doors open, allowing them entry.
Harry entered first, looking around the room, everyone seemed shocked to see him. Harry laid his eyes on Dumbledore and just glared. He spied an empty seat next to Hermione, and moved to take it. As Harry sat down he took in who else was seated at this round table. To his left was Hermione, followed by Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Tonks, a lady he did not know, Albus Dumbledore, Harry gave him another glare. To his right sat Ron, followed by the rest of the Weasley clan. Then Harry spied Draco Malfoy opposite him, sitting between Dumbledore and his mother, Narcissa Malfoy, who was sitting next to an empty seat that Professor McGonagall quickly occupied.
Dumbledore spoke up, "I was just telling everyone present that Harry was unable to attend due to sickness. It is good to see that Harry is well enough for these proceedings."
Harry stifled a snort, earning a questioning glance from Hermione. Professor McGonagall looked like she was about to say something when a goblin walked into the room and placed a small wooden chest in the middle of the table. The goblin then made his way around to Harry and whispered in his ear, "Please pull the chest towards yourself and open it." Harry nodded in understanding, stood up and reached over.
He almost had his hands on it when Draco stood and said, "What do you think you are doing, Potter? I'm supposed to be doing that, as the Head in Waiting of The Ancient and Noble House of Black!"
"Master Malfoy, please sit down," the goblin ordered, more than requested. Draco also received a glare from his mother telling him in simple terms to do what the goblin asked. "Mister Potter, if you would continue?"
Harry looked stunned, Hermione looked momentarily confused before comprehension dawned on her face, the same procession of looks passed around all sitting at the table. Professor McGonagall looked like she knew that was going to happen, as did Dumbledore.
Harry, after being nudged by Hermione, pulled the chest closer to him and then proceeded to lift the lid slowly. From inside came a voice, "Hurry up and open the damn lid!" Harry, not so much shocked to here a voice coming from the chest, but more so at whose voice it was. Sirius' booming voice filled the air again. "Harry, open the damned lid!" Harry complied, a look of pure astonishment on his face. "Thank you," A nine inch ghostly apparition of Sirius climbed out over the edge of the chest, closed the lid and sat on it.
"Now, let's see who is here. Harry, of course..."
Here, Sirius was immediately interrupted by a snort from Professor McGonagall which sounded a lot like, "No thanks to Albus."
"Professor Minerva McGonagall, always a pleasure," Sirius said in acknowledgement of her comment that no one else had heard. "Hermione Granger, Ronald, Ginevra, Fred, George, Charlie, Bill, Molly and Arthur Weasley, Cousin Andromeda and her lovely daughter Nymphadora Tonks," at this Nymphadora scowled, preferring to be called by her last name, Tonks. Turning to the other side of the table, "Narcissa and her son Draco Malfoy. Finally Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Here Sirius stood up, stretched his transparent legs and opened the chest again.
"Now that the official stuff is out of the road, I can now get down to business. Well, as you are seeing me, I must be dead. I'm sure I went out in a blaze of glory, taking at least five Death Eaters with me." Silence reigned at the table. Sirius looked around at them all. "OK, you tell me how I died!"
Harry swallowed, his throat completely dry. Albus broke the silence, "I believe I can answer that, but perhaps later after certain parties have left the room."
"Perhaps Albus. On with the show then. First order of business, Harry, I name you as heir to The Ancient and Noble House of Black, along with all associated land titles and non-cash assets. I've got more to say to you Harry, but later," Harry nodded sadly.
"To my dear cousin Andromeda, I leave you one million galleons, and to your daughter I leave a further one million galleons. I would have left your husband some as well, but you know the laws," both female Tonks' were wearing extremely solemn faces.
"To my not so dear cousin Narcissa, I leave one million galleons. To her son I leave twenty-five thousand galleons, an further seventy-five to be held in trust by Narcissa until his twenty-first birthday," Draco was seething inside, but so far had managed to keep his tongue in check, perhaps it was the menace that the goblin had spoken to him with.
"To my second cousins something-removed, I leave one million galleons each," here the Weasley's all let out a collective gasp, they had never dreamed of having that much money. "Think of it as payment for caring for Harry for all those years." Sirius smiled to Molly, "I know you want to mother Harry, but you can't now, he needs support, not babying."
"To Ronald Bilius Weasley, in addition to the one million galleons, I leave my classic racing broom collection." Ron was gob smacked, Ginny had to physically close his mouth.
"To Hermione Jane Granger, I leave one million Galleons, and the entire Black Family Library, less any books Harry would like to keep. Might I suggest you leave the books right where they are at the moment, I don't think you have the room currently."
Hermione was stunned and whispered, "It's too much."
To which Sirius replied, "No one else in this room is going to get the use out of them! Now there was one million galleons for my other not so dear cousin, Bellatrix, but as she has failed to attend, that million shall go to the pile which is to be donated to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, a total of fifty-seven million, three hundred and twenty-two thousand five hundred and one galleons.
"Now that that is all done, would Narcissa and Draco Malfoy kindly remove themselves from this room?" the apparition of Sirius waited until the doors were securely closed again. "Andromeda, I truly am sorry for not being able to give you more, but due to the laws, my hands are tied. I wish you well in the future. And Tonks, I think your Mum would like at least one grandchild before long," Sirius added with a wink. "Now if you wouldn't mind, I have some more things to discuss with other people here. I think I'll speak to Professor McGonagall first. Ripshnook, if you would?"
The goblin that had been in the room moved to the table whilst Sirius climbed back into the chest. Ripshnook then took the chest and Sirius over to a small table that Harry only just noticed.
"Professor, if you would be kind enough to come over here?" Professor McGonagall nodded and made her way to the arm chair by the table upon which Sirius' chest had been placed. Ripshnook stepped away, clapped his hands and not a sound could be heard. All that everyone else could see was Sirius nodding his head as the armchair now had it's back to the rest of the room.
****
Professor McGonagall stood up and walked back to the table, her face betraying nothing about what had been discussed. "Remus, Sirius would like to speak to you next," Minerva said as she resumed her place at the table. Remus stood and went over to talk to Sirius.
A melancholy expression was on his face when he returned, sending Ron over to talk. Ron then sent Hermione over. All through this Harry kept his eyes on the centre of the table, not trusting himself enough to speak calmly.
Harry was startled by a hand on his shoulder. His first instinct was to flinch, but Harry managed to quell it when he realised who it was. "Harry... Sirius wants to speak to you now..."
Harry willed himself to walk over to the chair where he would sit and speak to Sirius. Once seated, Ripshnook once again clapped his hands and a light blue shimmer prevented them from being over heard.
"Harry.." Sirius started softly
"I'm sorry Sirius," Harry interrupted. "It's all my fault."
"Harry..." Sirius tried again. "I was just talking to the others about what happened that night. It was not your fault."
"Yes it is... If I had just tried a little harder to learn Occlumency, I wouldn't have gotten the false visions of you being tortured." Harry was becoming hysterical now, Sirius had to do something, and fast.
"Harry James Potter, you cut that out right this instant. Stop being a self absorbed brat!"
That got Harry's attention, he looked up stunned.
"Now I want you to promise me something, okay?"
"Sure Sirius, anything," answered Harry.
"I want you to go and meet someone tomorrow."
"Sure. Who?"
"He's an old friend of your fathers."
Harry looked at Sirius, confused. "An old friend?"
"Yes Harry. He can explain a lot, and help you though what has happened, more so than anyone else in this room."
Harry looked back over the chair. He really didn't think anyone in the room would be able to help him. Perhaps Dumbledore, but Harry didn't want his help. "OK, Sirius. Where do I have to go?"
"McGonagall will pick you up tomorrow morning. She will let him know that you are in need of guidance."
"Guidance? Who is this man, Sirius?"
"You'll see," replied Sirius mysteriously. "You might like to take a friend with you when you meet him for the first time. I'd suggest Hermione but I don't know if she'd be open to the things this man will have to say, but definitely not Ron. No offence to him, but he certainly won't understand it all."
"All what, Sirius?" Harry was getting annoyed at the vagueness of Sirius' answers.
"You'll see... Well that's all that I wanted to talk to you about. Everything that you have now inherited from me is listed in a folio that you will receive from Ripshnook when you leave.
"There is just one more thing, I understand from my conversation with Professor McGonagall that Dumbledore tried to prevent you fro coming today."
"Apparently," answered Harry.
"Well, that would be because you are now the single richest wizard in Britain. All that you have inherited from me is yours to do with as you wish. It won't be going into a trust account like your inheritance from your parents," said Sirius. "I want you to use all the money that you want! Go wild, live a little! The money you'll gain access to next year when you turn seventeen will be more than enough for you and the rest of your family to live off for many, many generations! So spend big and travel!" Sirius was grinning broadly now, "You'll want to after you meet this man tomorrow."
*****
Professor McGonagall guided Harry back down the Alley to the Leaky Cauldron, Hermione, Ron and his family followed. Upon entering McGonagall led them all to a back room away from the prying public.
"Professor," Harry started, "I'd like to thank you for bringing me here today."
"That's quite alright Pot - Harry."
"No, really. I know what a big risk it is for me to be seen in public. Thank you. I'd also like to ask you about this man I'm supposed to be meeting tomorrow."
"All in good time, Harry. All in good time." Answered the professor in as a vague a way as Sirius had. "Now I need to have a word with Miss Granger. That is if you intend on following Sirius' advice?"
Harry nodded and moved towards the table. He sat down and looked over at McGonagall and Hermione talking in hushed tones. Hermione was becoming more and more excited by the idea of meeting this mystery man. Perhaps she's being told more than me? Harry thought sadly. Last summer's lack of information had really hurt him. He hoped Dumbledore would keep his promise.