Other Worlds

Ragnok, Director of the London branch of Gringotts, was the clan Chieftain of the various tribes of Goblins that lived under Gringotts and was rarely seen on the marble floors of the Bank. To most humans, one goblin looked much like another, and they took little notice individually of the people who looked after their treasures, be they gold, artifacts or secrets. Most barely thought of goblins at all, let alone as people. Then again, to goblins, most humans were little more than sheep. They treasured their relationships with the few who actually looked at them with respect fiercely. The very few who were accounted Clan Friends found themselves in a select group more difficult to access than the Order of Merlin. The fact that Ragnok himself was waiting by the doors for the attendees of the Potter will reading would have escaped none of the Clan Friends as being a singular honour.

 

Ushered through the gleaming gold doors at the rear of the marble halls, the family was shown into the Director's own office, where both Mycroft and Severus surprised the others greatly by dropping to their knees and embracing Ragnok fiercely. The stunned expression on both Narcissa and Sirius' faces obviously tickled the Head Goblin's sense of humour, and he doubled up with harsh laughter as Severus wryly passed him a handkerchief to mop his streaming eyes. 

 

Sirius couldn't decide if he was more surprised that a goblin should willingly embrace a human, or that Mycroft would willingly embrace anyone at all, but the fact that his partner was clearly familiar with Director Ragnok could only be reassuring. He waited for the chortling goblin to recover his composure, and bowed deeply as Severus introduced his bond-mates, Narcissa and the two toddlers. He was further stunned when not only did Ragnok open his arms in invitation to the two children, Harry and Draco both toddled straight to the goblin and happily allowed themselves to be swept up in his arms. As Narcissa performed her own deep curtsy of respect, the Director sat himself in his chair, a child on each knee, and gestured for them all to sit. 

 

"So, today we will find out what this little one's", and he nuzzled Harry's head as Harry giggled, "other parents wanted for him and their House. In accordance with Gringotts policy, the accounts were frozen on notification by the Ministry of their deaths. However, you should know that an attempt was made to access the Potter Artifact Vault this morning, with the individual in question presenting Lord Potter's key with a letter dated five years ago granting permission. The attempt was refused and the key retained, as the letter was written before Lord Potter had attained his majority and therefore did not have the legal authority to grant said permission."

 

"Are you able to let us know who made the attempt?"asked Severus, worriedly. 

 

"Headmaster Dumbledore. He claimed Lord Potter had authorised him to obtain a certain cloak as and when he wished, for research purposes. He was not best pleased, and stated that Lord Potter had assured him that it would be granted him in his will. However, the Headmaster is not listed as a beneficiary in the last will lodged with Gringotts five weeks ago."

 

Sirius scowled. "I would place hard galleons on him wanting James' invisibility cloak. He tried to confiscate it in our last year - James hadn't realised it showed his feet after a growth spurt and got caught by McGonagal. James' dad said it was a family heirloom though, and took it back to the Manor. James was in detention for a week because of that and Dumbledore was furious."

 

Severus sighed. "Of course he had an invisibility cloak. Why he didn't keep it at home where it might be useful in case deranged lunatics came to call..."

 

Remus shook his head. "He didn't know where it was. Lord Potter refused to give it back till he'd grown up, or reached 25, whichever was soonest. Not the first time he'd confiscated things like that off James either - the Map should be in the lock box too. Um, we'll tell you about the map later, Sev..."

 

Ragnok chuckled at Severus as he groaned and put his head in his hands. He turned to look at Narcissa then, and his tone grew formal. "Lady Malfoy, I am honoured to see you in such company. While you are not listed as a Potter beneficiary it is, of course, a public reading, which you may attend if you wish. However, you and your little Lord here tripped curse wards in the Main Hall. We find it expedient to know if our clients are acting under certain influences, such as  the Dark Mark Lord Black is afflicted with, or certain compulsions, bonds and so on. For the most part, we just make notes for our own records in case of subsequent actions questioning transactions, but given your current situation, I wish to offer the services of our curse breakers for both you and Lord Malfoy."
 

Narcissa was pale and trembling, but looked Ragnok in the eyes."Director Ragnok, I thank you for your offer, and would gratefully accept, if not for the fact that Lord Lucius Malfoy renounced both our marriage and our son before being sentenced to Azkaban. I fear that we..." She was cut off by Ragnok raising his hand to stop her going forward. "Forgive me for interrupting you, Lady Malfoy, but the Chief of the Wizengamot proclaimed Lucius Nameless to be stripped of his Name, House and Magic before the question of Life, Death or Undeath was put to the Wizengamot chamber. As such, Magic recognises him from that moment as Lucius Nameless , and the Malfoy title and House passed to your son. The former Lord Malfoy had no authority to renounce your marriage, nor to disown Lord Draco. You may, of course, divorce the former Lord Malfoy without penalty to you under the terms of your Marriage Contract, which would revert your dowry to your maiden House plus any financial penalties agreed upon for his breaching your agreement. However, Magic, and Gringotts, recognises you as Lady Malfoy, Regent of the House of Malfoy and Sole Custodian of Lord Draco Malfoy until he reaches the age of majority."

 

Narcissa bowed her head in gratitude and sheer relief. Her voice wavered slightly as she looked toward Sirius. "Lord Black, I wish to inform you of my intent to divorce Lucius Nameless due to his breach of contract with the Black family. I wish to take the name Malfoy-Black, to signify my rapprochement with my family while raising my son to take up his responsibility to the House of Malfoy, and willingly accept your offer to allow me to return to the House of Black under your protection. I acknowledge you as Lord Black, and hereby align the House of Malfoy to Houses Black, Potter, and Holmes-Prince, repudiating all former affiliations or House Contracts of the House of Malfoy. Lord Holmes, as Lady Malfoy-Black I affirm my request for Sanctuary under your Name and House for myself and my son. I also hereby authorise Lord Holmes, in his role for the Department of Mysteries, to initiate a search of Malfoy Manor for any Dark Artifacts in the possession of my family, and to have them removed to the Department for analysis and, if necessary, destruction."

 

Mycroft acknowledged her with a tight bow, and turned to Ragnok. "Director, I would like to have it recorded that Lord Draco Malfoy and Narcissa Malfoy-Black are under my direct protection and, as she has sworn fealty to me on their behalf, so do I swear loyalty to them by my Name, House and Blood. House Holmes-Prince accepts and returns affiliation with House Malfoy, and aligns itself with Houses Potter and Black. Also, as the Line of Prince now has a clear Heir in the person of Severus Tobias Potter-Lupin-Black Snape, and his son and Heir Harry Evan James Potter-Snape Prince, as the Head of House Holmes-Prince I declare that while the Houses stand united in loyalty and Blood, House Prince is now once again extant in itself, with Severus recognised as Lord Prince. Lord Prince, the House of Prince represents three seats in the Wizengamot, which now are under your control. All affiliations to House Holmes-Prince are retained by House Prince at your discretion.

 

Severus looked completely pole-axed, while Sirius and Remus were grinning at their mate's good fortune. The smile on the Chief Goblin's face was feral, but the children bouncing on his lap showed no fear as they laughed and cooed at everyone in the room. Draco was tugging on Ragnok's right ear quite happily, and, more surprisingly, the Director seemed quite happy with the situation.

 

"I may as well join in the fun and games," said Sirius contentedly. "As I have been fortunate enough to bond with Lord Prince and Remus Black-Snape Lupin, I would like to record our bond formally with Gringotts, and offer them both the title of Lord Consort of the House Of Black, with the vaults they own recognised with all the rights accorded to Consort Vaults applied. I also recognise Lord Potter as Heir Presumptive to the House Of Black, and align House Black to the Houses of Prince, Holmes and Malfoy, with the Houses of Malfoy,  Prince, and Potter falling under the Protection of the House of Black. There you go, Remus, you are now Lord Lupin-Black, while you get to be Lord Prince-Black, Sev."

 

The other men simply shook their heads, laughing. "This is just crazy. I can't believe business actually gets done like this!" exclaimed Remus. Ragnok chuckled. "Power transfer amongst the Ancient and Noble Houses is usually even more simple, when you think of it. The old Lord dies, the next Lord takes his place instantly. The rest is just paperwork. Formal attestation in front of a Scribe of Record, which, in this case, is me, and two peer witnesses, which is more than covered here, is all that is needed to do most formal House business, and nothing here is out of the ordinary, except, perhaps, that there was quite a lot of business achieved in a short amount of time. Now, Lady Malfoy-Black, the offer is open, if you would like to make use of our curse-breakers?" 

 

Narcissa rose, and gracefully curtsied to Ragnok. "Director, I would like to name you Friend of House Malfoy. Know that my home and House are open to you, and I hope that together our profits will increase, our gold flow and our enemies break before us. I accept your offer, and announce that we are in your debt, and House Malfoy acknowledges a favour of your choice owed to you."

 

Ragnok beamed at the traditional words, and pressed a button on his desk. Instantly Cursebreaker Gracklewrat apparated into the room, and after a brief introduction and discussion, led Narcissa and Draco out of the room.


 

"As there are other beneficiaries scheduled to arrive shortly, please follow me to the Will Reading Room. The will reading has to be public, but let me assure you that we will have guards throughout the room, and a Wand Inhibitor Ward is in effect on the room. Furthermore, any acts of violence in the bank will invoke penalty clauses on the perpetrators' vaults and banking capabilities, of which everyone will be made aware. Lastly, the room is under Fidelius, and attendees are unable to speak or write of the identity of fellow attendees, or details of private bequests except to each other. Details of public bequests are, of course, published in the required newspapers as is the norm."

 

They walked through the bank to the imposing Reading room where the wills of Ancient and Noble Houses were traditionally heard. There were already a few people in the room; Dumbledore conspicuous by his garish purple and gold robes and hat, Augusta Longbottom, her lips taut and an annoyed expression on her face; Molly and Arthur Weasley, looking sad and drained of all energy. Two house elves, both bearing the Potter crest on their smartly pressed tea towels, sat at the back. While Mycroft drifted to the back of the room, the family moved towards the front of the seats, as far from Dumbledore as they could manage, but were intercepted by the twinkly eyed wizard before they reached their seats.

 

"I am profoundly relieved to see our Boy Saviour is safe, but I must admit to being concerned that you kidnapped him from his home, Severus. I would have advised most strongly against it, dear boy, most strongly. Still, the damage is done, and now we must do what we can to lessen the impact. I will take Harry to his relatives when we are done here, and be certain I will speak on your behalf at the trial, Severus. All is not lost; I do, luckily, have influence with the Wizengamot. I will wager they will accept house arrest at Hogwarts, if you resume your Potions post of course, what with this being out of character for you." 

 

He reached out to take Harry, who shrank back against Severus, bursting into tears. "Come on now, Harry!" he boomed cheerfully. Remus growled low in his stomach, and Sirius swiftly put himself between Dumbledore's and his mates. "Headmaster, I believe you have misinterpreted the situation, and I advise you to sit down, away from Harry and Lupin, until you have heard where Lily and James intended Harry to live."

 

Dumbledore sighed. "As you insist, Sirius, though you are unwise to meddle in this -I am quite certain you of all people do not know the full story. However, if it will speed up getting Harry to where he belongs..." He shrugged, and took a seat, non-coincidentally between the Triad and the door. Sirius caught the darkly amused eyes of Mycroft and raised a careful eyebrow, before taking his seat next to Severus and Harry, with Remus on the other side, pressed up against Severus so he could take comfort from the bond.

 

Ragnok entered the room then, levitating two glowing spheres ahead of him as he walked to the central table, flanked by two stone podiums. He carefully manipulated the spheres' levitation until one rested on each plinth. He clapped his hands once together in ritual, and intoned "We are gathered together to hear the last intentions of James Charlus Potter and Lily Evans Potter. We meet in peace and depart in peace, in accordance with Wizarding Law. We give thanks for the lives of James and Lily, and send them our blessings for their safe journey to the next home. So mote it be."

 

"So mote it be", came the chorus. 

 

"We will hear the will of James Charlus Potter first, as his was the first to become activated by death." Ragnok announced. "Please be silent until after the will has been read."

 

He gestured towards the globe on his left, and it shimmered, forming a golden glow over the podium stand as tall as a man, which resolved itself into a golden hazy image of James leaning against a tree in the cottage back garden, shirtsleeves rolled up in the late autumn sunshine just a few weeks gone past. Sirius swallowed hard at the sight of the man he'd regarded as his brother, while on Severus' lap Harry's murmur of "Dada" could clearly be heard in the hushed room.

 

"Well, arse," James said, looking as if he was looking around the room. "Looks like I'm dead then. Sorry about this. Someone cuddle Lily and Harry for me, and love, I'm sorry about this. Especially if you are also dead, in which case I feel like a total wanker for not protecting you. I refuse to think Harry might be dead, so if you're watching this, Harry, Daddy loves you, and I'm sorry I can't be there for you any more. I'll always watch over you; listen to your Papa and your Wolfie, and remember to light our candles at Samhain and Yule, ok? And don't believe everything your Uncle Padfoot says."

 

"Ok, then. Last Will and Testament stuff. Heavy. Severus Snape, where are you? Ok, there you are. I hope. Couple of things to say here. I will never regret Lily and I bonding with you, but we aren't your life-bond mates, and if Remus hasn't done something about that by now I'm going to haunt him till he does. Having said that, I love you like a brother; if I'm honest, a little more than that, in an honest-I'm-straight-but-you-make-me-wonder kind of way. Don't start growling, Moony, he's yours, I respect that. Sirius might not, but I do. Aha! Didn't think we'd noticed, did you Siri? Mwahahaha! Seriously, sort it out, fellas, the UST in our kitchen was melting the tiles off the wall."

 

"Lily's making rude gestures at me, but Merlin, if you can't take the piss in your own will sphere, when can you? Anyway, back to the serious stuff. On either one of your laps, I'm guessing Sev's, is Lord Harry Evans James Potter-Snape Prince. That's a mouthful that might come as a bit of a shock to some of you, by which I mean Hello Albus! Lily and I not only freely bonded with Severus Tobias Snape of House Holmes-Prince, but we suggested, insisted and freely took part in his blood-adoption of Harry. This was kept secret under Gringotts Fidelius, and I now authorise Director Ragnok or Account Manager Griphook to announce this through the Wizarding press." At this a goblin slipped out of the room, to be replaced by another almost instantly.

 

"Custody of our son Harry therefore passes to his second father, Severus Tobius Snape. In the event of his death custody will be retained by Lord Sirius Black. In the event of his death custody will pass to Remus John Lupin. In the event of his death custody will pass to Lord Mycroft Holmes of House Holmes-Prince. In the event of his death, custody will pass to Sherrinford Holmes of House Holmes-Prince. In the event of his death custody will pass to Sherlock Holmes of House Holmes-Prince. In the event of his death custody would pass to Alice and Frank Longbottom, Andromeda Tonks - basically I could do this all day. The point being that in no case will Harry be allowed to be placed with Petunia Dursley née Evans or Vernon Dursley. While they may be Lily's family in blood, they have renounced both Lily and Harry and have made it clear that they loathe and detest both magic and magic users. They are misogynistic, homophobic, sanctimonious muggles, and we would rather Harry be brought up by our truly excellent house elves Tweedie and Pickle before them. Should by some incredible chance three Houses fall before Harry reaches 17 he is to be made a Ministry Ward under the supervision of Kingsley Shacklebolt and Alastor Moody, who between them should be able to protect him from pretty much anything. This too can be made known publicly." Another exchange of goblins subtly took place.

 

"Albus Dumbledore, while I respect you as a great Headmaster and the man who brought down Grindelwald, as well as he who has the most commonly found chocolate frog card, we do not wish for you to have guardianship over Harry. We both feel that you are manipulating people, and we had become uncomfortable with your direction of the Order long before your obsession with Harry and the Prophecy. Neither of us believe in the prophecy, which was overheard by Severus, who rushed straight to us and the Department of Mysteries to inform us. You taught us to be extremely sceptical of anything that claimed to predict the future, stating we all shaped our own fate. Why are you so convinced it is true? And why did you not tell us, your friends, what it said? We just wish we had been able to ask you this in person. We would like to ask this of you now, through the Daily Prophet." Again, goblins came and went from the room. 

 

"Severus, as Regent of House Potter, you have access to and control of all of our property, save those bequests we are about to make. I would like to ask that you work with Sirius and Griphook with this, as I know you don't have experience of this and they do. The goblins will provide you with a Fidelius list of properties. Brace yourself, love, the Potters have been around a long time. Once all the Regenting is done, there are two properties that will be in your name on that list. You can access them at any time, of course, but when Harry turns 17, they are yours. Until then, make do with vault 2231. Lily, if she made it, obviously is Harry's mother and the Dowager Lady Potter, and as such is entitled to anything she bloody wants. There's a letter from both of us in your new vault."

 

"Remus, my father went shopping for you a little before he died, and while the paperwork hadn't been finished by then, it is now. This was meant to be a 25th birthday present, so we are cheating Dad a bit by giving you it now, but I am sure he won't mind. There's a little island off the coast of Scotland with a sturdy little cabin, a small patch of woodland, and a fuckton of rabbits. Wish I had time to tell you the story of how we got a fuckton of rabbits to an unplottable Island, but I guess that will wait till we see you again. There's another island in another part of the world, but I'll leave that till you see your letter. Run free. You also now have vault 2232."

 

"Sirius, there's no point in giving you a vault, as you already have most of Gringotts'. There's a trunk with your name on it, which has all my photos, journals, knicknacks, quidditch gear, some stuffed animals you might recognise, some favourite books, memory phials. Like no one else, you know the stories attached to each of them. I'd be honoured if you would share them with Harry and the others. Let him know what I was like. The good and the bad. Don't let him think of me as some gilded hero, but as a boy who grew up, with you, to become his dad. In the trunk there's a letter for you. I love you, Padfoot."

 

"Frank, Alice and Neville, I'm sorry I or both of us turned out to be such lousy godparents as to get ourselves killed. I can't really make that up to Neville, but as Lord Potter I wish to formally align our two Houses so that House Longbottom can call on our protection when needed. Sev, Harry, I expect you to honour this on our behalf. Vault 2233 has been set aside for Neville, and I hope that he and Harry have the chance to build a strong friendship. Alice, thank you for being my wife's big sister; effectively; you made up for the lousy one she was saddled with. Frank, you mentored me through school and Auror training and never once turned me into a toad. Vault 2234 is yours, with my thanks."

 

"Arthur and Molly. Your kids are adorable, and I hope Harry grows up with them in his life. You've been good friends to us in the past few years, and I'm sorry that I'm not around to introduce Arthur to muggle whiskeys.  I hope that you will consent to bond with one of the Potter house-elves. Priddy was my nanny elf, and is always on at us to have more kids. As we can't do her bidding I'd love to think of her immersed with your brood. Vault 2235 is yours. Consider it Yule gifts for the future from us, but use it however you like."

 

"Finally, Tweedie, Pickle and the Potter Estate House-Elves. You have all been excellent elves during my childhood and my time as Lord Potter. My will is for you to bond with Lord Harry, Severus Snape, Remus Lupin and Sirius Black as your new family, and remain with them as directed. If any elf wishes to bond to another family to follow partners or children, I release you as desired but know you may also return or bring your mates into our family. This might not occur to your new Lords, so I hereby grant permission for bonding and pregnancy to be at your own discretion until Lord Harry is of age. Any elves wishing to retire before that time may do so, and the elf residence in Great Addington is to be maintained for this purpose. The health account at St Mungo's Elf Division will be paid from the main Potter expenses vault on the same basis as before. Lord Harry and Severus Snape may change your uniforms, which will not be considered clothes. Thank you all for your service."

 

"I think that's everything, guys. I'll miss you all, but I want to see you all happy before we meet again, particularly you, Harry. Live long, purposeful lives filled with joy and love. Marry who you will, don't worry about gender or blood or creature status or any of that rot. Sev, I'll leave Harry's schooling up to you. I know you'll do the best for our son, and I couldn't think of anyone I'd be content to leave him with than you and those two reprobates. Moony, I love you. You've been an incredible brother to me, and Harry loves you so. Be Happy. Padfoot, look after them. You know how I feel about certain people -don't let them in. Protect Sev and Remus; they sometimes think they have to bear the world on their shoulders. You and I always wanted to help them with that, so lads, you'd better let him. You are my heart-brother. Don't get yourself killed doing something stupid, but stick to my boy and my brothers like glue. I love you too. Oh, and Sev totally needs a club name. Make it a good one. I love you most, Harry. Look after your Papa and Uncles for me, and I'll see you in your dreams."

 

There was a hush in the room as the golden image dwindled and winked out, leaving the sphere behind, now having the appearance of being sealed in a glass ball with the date the will was made and the date it was 'read' into the Gringotts and House records. Ragnok eyed the room to see if there were any responses, but though Dumbledore appeared puce with suppressed rage, he was, for the moment silent, so Ragnok activated the second sphere. The image of Lily grew out of the golden light, and Severus choked back a sob.

 

"Hi there, and welcome to The Last Will and Testament of Lily Evans Potter. I hereby consent to this Will being published in it's entirety. I'm hoping like hell that James is sitting there with Harry, surrounded by inlaws and grandchildren and bond mates and all kinds of cool things like that, but I'm making this in the middle of Voldemort's own special brand of hell, so my guess is James and I went at the same time. If that's the case, Harry, know that we are together, that we are watching you grow, and that we love you."

 

"Regarding Harry's custody, if James did not survive then I whole-heartedly agree with, endorse and back one hundred percent the custodial decisions laid out in his will dated 28th September 1981, which we worked on together. In no circumstances is Harry to be placed with my birth sister Petunia Dursley née Evans, nor her repellent husband Vernon Dursley. I wish for them to have no contact with Harry whatsoever. Petunia has been a vile sister, told her inlaws we all died in the same car crash that killed my parents and hates magic. She is also too quick with her hands and her husband is a thug. I also have grave concerns about Albus Dumbledore's repeated attempts to have us stay with the Dursleys and his requests for us to nominate them as Harry's guardian. I say to you now, Headmaster, that I will not allow the Dursleys or you to dominate or even be a part of Harry's childhood."

 

"I also concur with James that Severus can choose for himself where and how Harry is schooled, as is our right under Wizarding law. Quite apart from anything else, for someone who speaks so fulsomely of Muggles, the Muggle Studies provision at Hogwarts is archaic and often wrong, as I attempted to highlight as Head Girl, and there is no introduction to Wizarding culture at all provided for incoming students. I do not feel the curriculum at Hogwarts is currently balanced or rounded enough to benefit leaving students, and that this is reflected in the low level of Apprenticeships offered compared to Beaubaxtons or Salem, to name but two off the top of my head. God, that feels good to get off my chest."

 

"I'm afraid that I don't have much personally to pass along. I don't have an inheritance of my own to pass along, nor do I come from an Ancient or Noble house, being as how my grandfather was a squaddie and my grandmother a cleaner. I have traced out a family tree for Harry, so you have an idea of where you come from, and there are a few trinkets for you in a box in my own vault, along with some photos. My dad would have liked for you to have had his watch when you are 17, and my mother's jewellery is in a little silver casket, in case you have a wife or daughter or stepsister you want to give it to. I've also put my favourite teddy from when I was little in there. It doesn't move or talk, I'm afraid, but he's very good to cuddle at night."

 

"James, I'd like you to keep my wedding ring. Don't bury me with it unless you are being buried with me. Keep what you most need to remind you of me, but know that you always will have my love."

 

"Sev, one of the happiest days of my life was when you bonded with James and myself, and blood adopted Harry. I am so glad you are his parent. I love and trust you absolutely, and have complete faith that you will raise Harry to be the best person he can be, and fight for him if needed. There is a trunk in my vault for you. James charmed the record player to run in the Manor and anywhere else, and I want to introduce Harry to all our favourites. Play him Harry Nilsson for me so he knows where his name came from, and tell him about wet Sunday afternoons in Cokeworth learning all the words to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and The Jean Genie. You were my first and truest friend, Sev, and I will love you forever."

 

"Arthur, before we went into hiding I was planning your Christmas present. I booked you onto a muggle evening course in home maintenance, and got you a pair of proper muggle jeans. Go learn how to wire a plug and put up shelves the muggle way and have fun. I'm leaving you my Dad's toolbox, and you have the challenge of getting my mum's sewing machine to work for Molly. Love you both, by the way. Please stay in touch with Harry - we want him to have his play times with Ronnie and the twins still."

 

"Alice, Sirius, Remus... I have no words. I'm going to miss you so much. You've been a huge part of the best part of my life. There are letters and mementos for each of you in the vault, but I want each of you to know I love you. Cherish each other, look after each other; look after Severus for me. Make sure he's not burning himself out, worrying himself sick over Harry's coughs and sniffles, that they go on holiday on the spur of the moment. Make sure he gets the good biscuits for himself, not just guests."

 

"James, my love, my all. I hope I have a long time to wait for you. I hope you'll find happiness. I hope you live to see Harry's white beard reach his knees. I will watch, and I will wait. I love you. Goodbye."

 

The golden glow dimmed from the room, the only sounds the low sobs from the front row of seats, where Sirius and Remus held tightly onto their bond mate and his son.