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Author: The F00l2 Story: Second Chances Rating: Teens Setting: Pre-HBP Status: WIP Reviews: 7 Words: 6,721
Harry ventured downstairs to start breakfast before the rest of the household could start their petty bickering. Shortly after the coffee was started, he heard his uncle bellow down about not burning the bacon. Harry pondered how to deal with telling his uncle about Diagon Alley as he nibbled on his jam and toast. He decided to drop the bombshell of Professor Dumbledore and Moody coming to get him at eleven for a short while. Predictably, Vernon's reaction at hearing Moody's name was to turn white and fall off his chair. Spluttering in his fear, he uttered, "I don't want my home messed up again like it was before." Harry replied, "I was informed that they would be using the front door this time." With this, having already completed the dishes, Harry strode out of the room, listening to Dudley's whining that he was still hungry, having gone on a new diet. Harry was dressed in some decently fitting clothes for a change, Tonks having transfigured them for him a couple of days ago. His Hogwarts robes were neatly packed and out of sight in a knapsack, so as not to provoke Vernon too much, and he had his invisibility cloak folded on top of it on the sofa. He was getting along tolerably well with his uncle. Vernon had grudgingly decided to treat him like a guest to keep the Order away. Harry was pacing back and forth in the living room, just a tad nervous about seeing Dumbledore again after their last encounter. Luckily for Harry, the Dursleys had decided to go into town for an early movie matinee…or so Aunt Petunia had said. At precisely eleven, the doorbell rang. Peering thru the peephole, Harry saw Dumbledore and Moody on the porch, but he drew his wand nonetheless. Harry slowly opened the door, but left the chain on; Dumbledore called out, "Harry, please open the door so we can leave." "Prove you are who you look like," Harry muttered nervously. To this Moody replied, "Good, Boy, you're suspicious, I like that. You're wearing Chudley Cannons boxers and an interesting piece of jewelry. Is that good enough for you?" With that, Harry quickly shut the door and undid the chain, opening it fully to let the two wizards inside. Blushing furiously all the while, Harry kept his wand ready just in case. "Did you have to choose that? I mean really! At least Tonks wasn't here to hear you though. She'd be almost as bad as the twins" Harry exclaimed, visibly upset. "Harry, my boy, it's good to see you again," said Dumbledore with a twinkle in his eye. "You've grown some already. I would like to chat more but we really must be going." Harry grabbed his cloak and put it on. Sticking out his hand so it was visible, motioned to Moody and the headmaster to precede him through the door. "I've got to lock up, and I'd rather have the two of you covering me while I do so." Moving quickly down the street to Magnolia Road, to Mrs. Figg's residence, Harry had to marvel at the sight of Dumbledore and Mad-Eye Moody wearing Muggle outfits. Dumbledore looked resplendent in his charcoal grey, three-piece suit and top-hat. He reminded Harry of the few times he had seen a muggle physician at the local clinic. Mad-Eye, on the other hand, looked like a refugee from a rock concert. He was wearing a ragged Ramones T-shirt and faded bellbottom jeans. The jeans had so many patches in it, that it seemed more made of colourful patches than denim. The clincher was the rose-coloured glasses perched on his nose. When the three of them reached Mrs. Figg's house, Moody knocked on the door and called out, "Arabella, we're here to deliver your package." "Just a minute, I'll be right there! And don't roll that eye at me young man!" The door opened and Harry's (now) favorite cat-lady came into view with multiple cats flowing around her ankles, some of them rushing out to wrap themselves around Harry's and Dumbledore's legs. It looked a little strange, seeing cats appearing and disappearing as they passed in and out of the bottom of the cloak. "Come in! Come in quickly, the fireplace is ready!" said Mrs. Figg. Everyone moved inside to the living room where the fireplace was ready for them to Floo out of, and before Harry knew it, they were at the Leaky Cauldron, coming out of Tom's fireplace. Dumbledore and Moody quickly ushered Harry out and into Diagon Alley and into Gringotts where they met Remus. Remus took one look at Harry, who had removed his invisibility cloak and exchanged it for his robes back at Mrs. Figg's place, and wrapped his arms around Harry in a tearful hug. Harry awkwardly put his arms around him, not being used to such physical contact. The two of them followed Dumbledore and the Gringotts goblin back to a private room with a very large stack of papers sitting on a rectangular mahogany table, surrounded by plush chairs on all four sides, one of them fitted for the goblin. The goblin Solicitor seated himself and waved to them to seat themselves. After the trio did so, he began to speak. "We are gathered here today for the reading of the final will and testament of Sirius T. Black. Please state your full legal names for the record, and then I will read the will." Pointing at Dumbledore first, he heard "My name is Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore." "My name is Remus John Lupin." "My name is Harry James Potter." "Good. Now we can begin. Here are your copies of the will." Will of Sirius Trouble Black I, Sirius Trouble Black, domiciled and residing at Black Manor, location unknown, declare this to be my last will and testament, and revoke all other wills and codicils. I. 1. I am single and have never been married. 2. I have no children, living or dead.
3. My family consists of the following persons: James and Lily Potter or their heirs, and Remus Lupin or his heirs.
4. I am of sound mind and body. II. Narcissa Malfoy, Bellatrix Lestrange, and their descendants are hereby disowned by me, Sirius T. Black. III. I direct that my funeral expenses (including the cost of a suitable grave marker), the costs of administering my estate, and all legal debts allowable as claims against my estate be paid out of the general funds of my estate before any distribution of such funds to any of the beneficiaries mentioned below. IV. I direct that all taxes imposed by reason of my death on property passing under or outside this will be paid out of my residuary estate. V. I give and bequeath my personal effects, including Black Manor and all effects contained within, to the following persons: James and Lily Potter or their heirs and Remus J. Lupin or his heirs, to be divided equally among both parties with the following exceptions: A. Remus be allowed permanent residence at Black Manor as the old wolf was like a brother to me, so shall he be treated as such. B. My motorcycle and my share of the Marauders' Stash are bequeathed to James and Lily's heir to continue the tradition of pranking all Slytherins and to have fun. VI. My residuary estate is all my property remaining after the dispositions specified in Paragraph V of this will, whenever obtained, including property not otherwise effectively disposed of in this will, and property as to which I have a power to appoint. I give, devise, and bequeath my residuary estate to: James and Lily Potter or their heirs and Remus J. Lupin to be divided equally among both parties. Additional documents describing the Black Family Estates are on file with Gringotts Wizarding Bank, London Branch. VII. I appoint Albus Dumbledore as my executor, without bond, of this will. My executor shall have the following powers, in addition to those granted by law: Custody of Harry James Potter if both parents and I are deceased. I subscribe my name to this will on 20 December, 1979, at The Ministry of Magic, London, England, in the presence of Albus Dumbledore, Arthur Weasley, and James Potter, attesting witnesses, who subscribe their names to this will on 20 December, 1979 at my request and in my presence. Sirius Trouble Black ATTESTATION CLAUSE On the date last above, written by Sirius Trouble Black, known to us to be the person whose signature appears at the end of this will, declared to us, the undersigned, that the foregoing instrument, consisting of 2 pages, including the page on which we have signed as witnesses, was his will. He then signed the will in our presence and, at his request, in his presence and in the presence of each other, we now sign our names as witnesses.
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scotland Arthur Weasley The Burrow, England James Potter Godrick's Hollow, England As he read over his copy of the will, Harry had mixed feelings and thoughts that kept flitting around his head like Cornish Pixies. He was still pretty ticked at the headmaster for waiting so long to tell him about the prophecy, and of course for sticking him with the Dursleys, but he was starting to understand his reasons for doing so…even if Harry didn't agree with those reasons, and besides, he hadn't forgiven the old coot yet either. It was good that Remus was finally having something good happen to him…he deserved it. Harry suddenly wondered when Mundungus would come through with that stuff he had asked for, and how much it would cost him. Tears came to his eyes when his thoughts landed on Sirius. He missed him so much, but he had promised Sirius that he would go on. Harry took a deep breath and let it out. "I guess this means I don't have to stay with the Dursleys anymore do I?" Harry asked in a flat tone, his narrowed eyes looking directly at the Headmaster, daring him to contradict him. Dumbledore's spirits fell, with what he read from Harry's tone. "Since Sirius left the house to you and Remus, that is where you will be staying since the blood protection will start to deteriorate starting now. The protection was not only contingent on the physical blood relationship between you and Petunia, but her status as your guardian. When Sirius named me as your guardian, it passed the responsibility for you to me I will be there as often as my duties permit. If you want, Dobby will take over Kreature's duties, as he is no longer among us. We will have to ask Arthur and Molly, but I think it can be arranged to have the Weasleys and Miss Granger stay there with you until school starts. Which reminds me, I have a few things you may be interested in …." Harry watched as Dumbledore rummaged around in his robes, finally coming out with several envelopes and handing them to Harry. "Harry, these are your Hogwarts letters, an announcement lifting your ban on Quidditch, your O.W.L. results, and a Ministry Decree lifting the Ban on Underage Sorcery for you, subject to the normal adult restrictions, of course," he added. "Your Firebolt will be waiting for you at Black Manor. I do believe that you did quite well on most of your subjects," said Dumbledore, with his usual twinkle coming back. "Due to success of the D.A., I am making it a school sanctioned club, and would not only like you to continue it next year, but since you did so well in your role as instructor, I entreat you to accept a position as an assistant to the Defense teacher. You will be assisting him and will take over the classes if he is called away. You will also be teaching one or more of the lower years, a position that gives you many of the same privileges as a regular teacher. What do you say, Harry? Will you accept?" Authors Note: Now is that a cliffie for ya, or what? The physical location of Grimmauld Place is listed as Black Manor, with a physical location as unknown, since it's currently under the Fidelius Charm and that's how it would be known on the legal documents (Black Manor, 12 Grimmauld Place). In regards to the motorcycle, it's currently located at the house, having been moved there last year after Hagrid remembered where he had stashed it in his hut after using it all those years ago to deliver Harry to the Dursleys. The template for Sirius's Will was the MS Office template "Last will and testament for single person with no children"
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