-๐๐-
Before he could so much as blink, he landed with a loud thud on solid wood flooring.
"Ow..." He groaned, annoyed. "You need to work on your landing!" Sirius muttered bitterly, hoping Death heard him. He didn't need to move much to already know where Death had dropped him upon his return. He's really gotta burn this place to the ground! Slowly, he picked himself up off the floor before a little "Pop!" sounded off from behind him, followed by a grumbling, croaky voice that could only belong to Kreacher.
"Who dares enter the House of Black!" Kreacher's voice echoed.
Naturally, Sirius got ready to turn around and berate the annoying elf before stopping and realizingโhe was no longer Sirius Black. He could remember the memories of Adhara's that he'd seen, not clearly, but like a dream he'd had. Enough to remember that Kreacher was just as much a victim of the Black family as he was. Slowly, he turned around to face the old, grouchy house elf.
"Leo Black. I am the son of Sirius Black III," he announced calmly.
Kreacher narrowed his eyes accusingly back at him, and Leo raised his brow in response. "Kreacher thinks you lie! Kreacher knowsโ"
"Then let us check the tapestry, shall we?" Rebutted Leo, effectively cutting him off.
With a grumble, Kreacher hobbled to the room across the hall, followed by Leo, before they both inspected the tapestry. Kreacher's eyes widened as he looked at the newest branch extending from the scorched spot of Sirius Black IIIโmarking the latest addition to the Black family tree: Leo Alphard Black I. Bloody hell! I'm actually on it!! He couldn't help but think to himself before calming his expression as Kreacher turned to face him.
"Master Leo Black, Kreacher must admit that you speak the truth..." Kreacher grumbled before continuing, "Kreacher serves the House of Black. It is not Kreacher's place to dispute the family tree. How can I serve you, Master Leo Black?"
Surprised by his easy acceptance, Leo spluttered a bit before clearing his throat. "IโI would like to go to Gringotts and uhโWhat's the date?" he added after staring at his smaller-than-remembered hands. Bloody hell, he's really a child again!
"As you wish... Today's date is Sunday, July 28th, 1991..."
"Right!" Leo quickly nodded in acceptance before adding, "Just call me Leo!"
Kreacher eyed him warily before hesitantly nodding. "As Master Leo wishes..."
"Pop!" Kreacher disappeared before another "Pop!" announced his return, holding a letter out to Leo.
"Master Leo, Your Hogwarts letter arrived..." Kreacher grumbled.
"Oh! Thank you, Kreacher!" Leo cheered appreciatively while plucking the letter out of his hands. If today was the 28th, that gave him three days before Hagrid took Adhara to Diagon Alley. He'd have to time his supply shopping to then so he could meet her sooner rather than later. When did the Weasleys go? He needs to get that rat... He trailed off his inner thoughts as he eyed Kreacher, with newfound determination.
"Kreacher!"
"Yes, Master Leo."
"Just Leo, not Master," he mumbled quietly before shaking his head and returning to his original train of thought. "I know you hate my father, Sirius, but he is still a Blackโand has been wronged!"
Kreacher's face morphed into a grimace at the mention of Sirius. Leo chose to ignore it and continued on. "He has been framed by a traitorous rat, and I need your help in capturing him and ensuring justice for the Black name!" he finished confidently.
Kreacher seemed to be fighting a war in his head before reluctantly nodding. "Kreacher... will help... Kreacher lives to serve the House of Black."
"Right! Off to Gringotts. Keep an eye out for the Weasley family. Their daughter Muffy has a rat that is secretly an Animagus! You need to capture it without anyone knowing," Leo instructed.
Kreacher nodded stiffly, with a few foul mutters under his breath.
Kreacher readied the Floo, and they both stepped out into the Gringotts atrium. The grumpy old elf made sure not to be seen as he left to search the alley for the Weasleys. Leo took a calming breath as he subtly glanced at all the other witches and wizards in the bank before proceeding to a goblin desk.
"Name!" The goblin spat out without looking up from his papers.
Clearing his throat and raising his head confidently, "Leo Black. I'd like to take an inheritance test."
The goblin lifted its head to study him with its beady eyes. "Griphook!" The goblin thundered before a moment later, another goblin hobbled into view from the side doors. The two goblins exchanged some whispers before Griphook stepped forward, croaking out, "Follow me!"
Resisting a grimace at the uneasy feeling goblins gave him, Leo stepped in line as Griphook led the way. Eventually, they came to a stop at a great big metal door covered in depictions of goblins defeating their enemies. Griphook banged on the door thrice before turning and abruptly walking away. With a creak, the grand metal door opened, and Leo hesitantly stepped inside.
"Mister Black." The goblin sitting at the desk grimaced out before gesturing to the seat across from him.
Taking his seat, Leo opened his mouth but was quickly silenced by the goblin holding up his hand. "I am Lornok, the House of Black's account manager. You've asked for an inheritance test, yes?" grumbled the goblin. Leo nodded in response.
Lornok opened his desk drawer before pulling out a dagger, a black bowl covered in runes, a spare bit of parchment, and a vial of black liquid. Lornok then held the dagger out towards Leo, who hesitantly took it and sliced his palm before letting the blood drip into the bowl. Lornok proceeded to pour the black liquid out of the vial into the bowl as he began chanting in Gobbledegook. The runes began to glow orange as the liquids swirled about, mixing in the bowl. Slowly, the liquids began to rise up before dripping onto the piece of parchment. Leo watched with bated breath as the liquid slowly dissolved, leaving behind words written on the parchment.
Leo Alphard Black I
Birth:ย July 28, 1980
Classification:ย Wizard/Halfblood
Father:ย Sirius Orion Black IIIย
Classification:ย Wizard/Pureblood.
Status:ย Incarcerated (Falsely-Never trialed)/Deceased
Mother:ย Morgan Kaliย
Classification:ย Muggle
Status:ย Deceased
Godfather:ย James Potterย
Classification:ย Wizard/Pureblood
Status:ย Deceased
Godfather:ย Remus Lupinย
Classification:ย Wizard/Werewolf/Halfblood
Status:ย Alive
Godmother:ย Unappointed
Magical Guardian:ย Remus Lupin
Former Guardian:ย Morgan Kali
Current Guardian:ย Remus Lupin
...
The goblin hummed to himself as he read over the parchment. Leo stared at the parchment in shock. He didn't even think of Moony... How was he supposed to keep his identity a secret from his best friend? Why did Death even make Moony his guardian? As much as he loved Moony like a brother... Moony worshipped Dumbledore.
"I'll inform your guardian. Heir Black," the goblin suddenly stated, bringing Leo out of his deep pondering. Before he could open his mouth, the goblin had already left. Letting out a small sigh, Leo glanced back down at the parchment as he continued reading on.
Well, at least he has money and properties... I guess Adhara isn't heir to the House of Black anymore because he exists now. Then again, he never actually had a chance to tell her that she was his heir... With a grimace crossing his face, realization hit him that he too had let Adhara down on a lot of things as Sirius. Of course, he knew that, butโknowing it and realizing just how much you failed were two completely different things.
The goblin returned with a disheveled and awkward-looking Remus Lupin trailing behind him. It took everything in him to act naturally and not make a joke to cheer up Moony. This is gonna be harder than he thought! Leo and Remus made eye contact, and Remus instantly stopped, wide-eyed, as he rapidly paled while staring back at him. Leo furrowed his brows before suddenly clueing in to the fact that he looked pretty much identical to his "past self" when he was this age.
"Mr. Lupin," the goblin glared at him before gesturing for him to take the seat beside Leo. Remus shook his head before hesitantly doing as the goblin wanted, trying his best to avoid looking to his right at Leo.
"Heir Black, if you will," the goblin grumbled, eyeing the parchment.
"Oh, right..." Leo quickly handed it to Remus, who hesitantly took it with a nod. With bated breath, Leo watched as Remus' eyes darted down the parchment, his face switching through an array of emotions.
"H-He was innocent..." Remus whispered quietly under his breath before suddenly looking to Leo in shock. "H-How is this possible? Sirius never said he had aโaโ"
"A son," Leo finished for him. Remus just numbly nodded back.
Well, he doesn't, as we are the same person, but it's not like he could tell Moony that. "He never knew," Leo stated, as if it was a fact he's always known and this whole situation wasn't weird.ย
"A- And your mother... -" Remus asked hesitantly.
"Muggle. She just passed," before quickly adding, "Died at seaโwith her boyfriend. He had a boat," thinking up a lie on the spot.
"Oh, I am sorry for your loss..." Remus mumbled genuinely. The goblin cleared his throat as he gave Remus a sharp look to continue reading. With a deep breath, Remus did just that before seeing that it stated Deceased by Sirius's name.
"H-He's dead? But it wasn't announced! No one has said anything," Remus stated in a panic. His friend had died being falsely accused... his friend had died with him believing he was a traitor.
The goblin cleared his throat before stating, "Yes. Sirius Black had died this morning. Which is why it hasn't been announced yet. As for his innocence, well, that is up to heir Black to proceed with ensuring the right people clear his name." Remus sat in silence for a few moments as he processed this bit of news. A son, a false sentencing, and a death. Anymore bloody surprises?
Remus once again returned to reading over the parchment. With a sharp intake of breath piercing the silence that filled the room, Remus's eyes widened as he saw that he was labeled as the godfather and current guardian of Leo. A vast amount of emotions warred within him.
"I uh... - I am not well off, and I'm a werewolf... I would completely understand if youโ"
Leo cut Remus off with a snort. "Sorry. It's just, I don't care if you're a werewolf, and you should finish reading the parchment if you're worried about money," Leo stated smugly.
Remus, confused, glanced back down at the parchment in his hands before his jaw dropped open in shock. "The guardian gets paid that much a month t - to - how - what - ?" He stuttered out breathlessly in disbelief.
Leo resisted a smirk as he watched Remus stammer over his words, trying to comprehend that he'd no longer have to live life just barely getting by. "IโI don't know what to saโ"
"Say you'll do it," Leo interrupted, looking at him, albeit a little pleadingly.
Remus pondered in his head for a few moments before nodding in agreement. "I will do my best to be a good enough guardian for you."
"Excellent!" Leo stated, beaming smugly before adding, "Well, we should probably choose a house to live in then, huh?"
Remus blinked back at him as if he'd never met such a human before. Ignoring his look, Leo quickly grabbed the parchment before spotting a property that he'd never heard of before... was this really a Black family property?
"How about this one, Mors Cottage."
ย