"A meeting with goblins?" Albus's eyes twinkled. "It sounds very mysterious."
"It's a will reading, Albus," Minerva snapped, "and I'll thank you not to hold us up any longer."
"Albus." Remus said by way of farewell and offered Minerva his arm. She took it and they headed over to the floo. As he followed her into the flames, he could hear Moody in the background…
"What the hell is this I hear about a bloody basilisk?"
Remus fell out the other end, laughing. Minerva fixed him with a glare that had him sobering swiftly.
"Apologies," Remus said, "I overheard Alastor berating Albus about the business with the basilisk just as I flooed."
Minerva sniffed. "We were very fortunate that all of the students were lucky enough to survive the whole affair."
"You won't get any argument from me." Remus concurred.
They made their way into Diagon Alley and down the street to Gringotts. They were shown into a back room and Remus was unsurprised to see Brian, Liam Arkam, Amelia Bones, and Kipbold waiting for them, along with Augusta Longbottom and Andromeda Tonks.
Everyone exchanged minor greetings before Arkam, a blond portly man with a moustache, got on with the business.
"I thank you all for coming at such short notice and apologise for the lack of details in your invitation beyond that this was a reading of a will and you had been named as beneficiaries or were required to be here." Liam began pompously. "We are here to read the joint will of James and Lily Potter."
Remus wasn't surprised but he heard Minerva's sharp intake of breath.
"I thought it was missing?" Minerva asked.
"Clearly, Minerva, it has been found." Augusta said crisply.
Liam cleared his throat. "You're here to represent Frank, Alice and Neville Longbottom, Madame Longbottom?"
"Yes." Augusta said sharply.
"I am here to represent Sirius Black." Brian pre-empted Liam's form question of his presence – Remus knew the two solicitors were already aware of each other's roles in the proceedings but Brian gained three sharp looks from Andromeda, Augusta and Minerva.
"Remus Lupin?" Liam cast his gaze over Remus.
"Representing myself." Remus replied easily.
"Andromeda Tonks also representing myself." Andromeda spoke up before Liam could ask her.
"And obviously Professor Minerva McGonagall is here representing herself and who I recognise." Liam smiled at her.
"I should hope so, Mister Arkam. I was your teacher for seven years." Minerva retorted.
"Quite," Liam replied hurriedly, "I also thank Amelia Bones who has agreed to act as the executor given the extraordinary circumstances."
"Which are?" asked Augusta.
"A copy of the will was provided by the new Lord Black to the Ministry as part of the special investigation into the matter of Sirius Black." Amelia explained. "I can't say anything more because of confidentiality."
Again there were surprised looks.
"Very well." Augusta huffed. "Shall we get on with it?"
Liam cleared his throat again. "Quite," he pulled the parchment to him, "I'll skip the legalese and summarise the bequests if that is OK with you all?"
Everybody nodded.
"Remus Lupin is left the sum of one hundred thousand galleons and the house at Dithery Cliff. Do you accept this?"
"Yes." Remus said, a lump forming in his throat. He imagined James and Lily had wanted to ensure that he always had a home and money to live, knowing as they did how hard it was for him to gain employment as a werewolf.
"Minerva McGonagall is placed in charge of the Lily Potter Scholarship Trust which should be used to provide one free place to a muggleborn student every year including tuition for their seven years of study, school supplies and a modest spending allowance to be set at her discretion. Funds are to be taken from the Potter vault, set aside in a separate vault for the Trust and receipts provided to the Potter Steward via Gringotts. Should she relinquish her position, she should recommend a replacement. Do you accept this duty?"
"I do." Minerva said and Remus could see the glint of tears in her eyes.
"Now to the rest," Liam said briskly, "starting with Mister Black. Sirius Black is left the sum of one hundred thousand galleons and the share of the flat 2A London Street owned by James Potter. Does Mister Black accept this?"
"On his behalf, yes." Brian replied.
"Neville Longbottom is left ten thousand galleons from his Uncle James and Aunt Lily. The funds are to be used at the discretion of his parents, Frank and Alice Longbottom, or his named legal guardian until he is of age. Madame Longbottom, do you agree to the bequest?"
"Yes." Augusta's starchy exterior was shaken.
Remus remembered that the Longbottoms, although an Ancient and Noble family, were rumoured to have suffered financially over the years since Frank and Alice had been attacked.
"There is a bequest to Lily Potter's sister which is being handled through muggle solicitors, and one bequest that has been denied by the executor as the named individual Peter Pettigrew has been found complicit in the deaths of the Potters. The remainder of the estate is bequeathed to their only son." Liam noted, glancing at Amelia. "All that is left is the appointment of a legal guardian for Harry James Potter, the Potters' son, assuming responsibility for his care and upbringing, and assuming regency of the House of Potter until he comes of age. Frank and Alice Longbottom are named as first in line with provision made for the guardianship to pass to Sirius Black should they refuse or be unable to assume responsibility, and additional provision made for it to pass to Minerva McGonagall should Mister Black decline or be unable to assume responsibility, or Andromeda Tonks should Professor McGonagall decline or be unable to assume responsibility."
The three women looked suitably shocked and Remus schooled himself to appear the same.
"For the record, I confirm that Frank and Alice are in no position to assume guardianship." Augusta said tersely.
"Brian?" Liam inquired.
Brian cleared his throat. "My client Sirius Black will assume guardianship."
Liam nodded and looked over at Amelia. "I assume as custody is currently held by muggles the Ministry will review the matter?"
Amelia sighed. "The Ministry has already reviewed the situation and has agreed guardianship of Harry Potter should follow the legal wishes of his late parents and therefore is awarded to Sirius Black." She glared at everyone in the room. "Please do not share this until such time as the information is made public."
Everyone nodded.
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