Harry Potter and the Unexpected Inheritance

Chapter 1

The Fire Call

A blast of ice cold water hit Harry Potter in the chest almost knocking him backward. He looked up at his best friend with annoyance. Ron Weasley moved the stream of water to Harry's face.

Harry lifted his arms to cover his head. Still the flow of water streamed over him. He heard Ron's soft laughter.

"Damn it, Ron," said Harry. "I had to teach you how to use that hose."

Ron laughed again. "I think I have the hang of it now," said Ron as he continued to spray Harry with water.

The 16-year-old wizards were the best of friends. The muggle (non magic people) water hose was new to Ron, but not to Harry who had been raised by his muggle Aunt and Uncle who hated him and, in fact, had treated him like a slave (or at the very least, a house elf). But Harry had a better life now. He lived with his godfather now, his parents best friend. And Sirius loved him. Harry was still getting used to having a real home and a family.

Harry reached down into the bucket at his feet and pulled out a soap filled sponge. He hurled it at Ron. It hit Ron in the face and the water stream hitting Harry stopped.

"HARRY! RON!"

Harry turned his dripping head towards the open front door of La Casa Black; his home, and saw Sirius, his godfather, standing on the front porch of the three-story house.

"You're supposed to be washing my bike, not drowning each other," said Sirius.

"Sorry, Sirius," said both Harry and Ron together.

Sirius looked like he was trying to keep himself from laughing. "Yeah right," said Sirius and he turned and went back into the house.

Harry and Ron looked at each other and they both laughed.

Ron threw the sponge back at Harry. Harry caught it but Ron held up the hose.

"Oh, no," said Harry. "Expellimentus."

The hose flew from Ron's hand into Harry's.

"Oh, not fair!" yelled Ron.

But Harry opened the nozzle full blast on Ron.

Since Harry didn't need to use a wand to do magic, his magic wasn't detected by the Dept. of Underage Misuse of Magic.

Once Ron was as soaked as Harry, they got around to washing Sirius' flying motorcycle. Once it was cleaned and dried, they even waxed it.

"You staying for dinner, Ron?" said Harry, wiping his hands on his jeans.

"Can't," said Ron as they started moving the buckets and hose back to the carport. "Love to but Mum said to make sure everyone was home tonight."

"Why?"

"Don't know," said Ron.

Ron grabbed Harry's wrist and pulled out his wand. "What should I be doing?" said Ron after tapping Harry's watch with his wand.

"You're late! Get home." Flashed the watch.

Harry laughed as Ron said good bye and raced across the field between La Casa Black and The Burrow (Ron's home). Harry knew that the hand on the Weasley's clock now showed Ron as "in transit". They had added several things to that magical clock when he and Sirius had moved next door. Harry had been floored when he saw they had added a hand with his name on it – they could only do this because they had adopted him as part of the family. And they had added a place – La Casa Black.

Harry had been having the best summer of his life. Just listening to Sirius talk to him, playing Quidditch with the Weasleys in the hidden clearing, being able to do his homework in the cool office that he and Sirius shared. Letting their house elves spoil them, which Dobby and Winky did.

Thinking of Dobby made Harry hungry. He pushed Sirius motorcycle off the stand and pushed it up to the carport. Harry looked down at the bike and threw his leg over it and sat down. Harry remembered sitting in front of Sirius as Sirius let him drive it a few weeks ago. He didn't let Harry fly it, but Harry got to drive it.

It had some features that even Sirius didn't know what they did. Harry studied the controls between the handlebars. Harry started it. He looked down at a curious lever and threw it.

A calm serenity fell over him, as if Rowan, his phoenix, was singing to him. He closed his eyes.

Harry, didn't last year teach you anything about controlling that curiosity of yours?

It was his father's voice. Harry only knew it from his memories.

Then a small jolt erupted from the bike. The charge of power threw Harry off the bike to the ground. The motorcycle shut itself off and Harry stared at it.

Harry heard a soft laugh. "All right, Harry?" said Sirius.

Harry had to laugh then too. "Yeah," said Harry dragging himself off the ground. He looked at the bike. "My dad just yelled at me."

"Well serves you right," said Sirius but he threw an arm around Harry's shoulders.

"I know, I know," said Harry. "I should do as I'm told."

"Harry," said Sirius, "You're a good kid, you know that don't you?"

"I guess," said Harry. "Unless you ask Snape."

Sirius laughed. They walked back to the house and as they entered, the phone rang. Sirius had gotten the phone for Harry so Hermione could call him but Aunt Petunia had called once, which had shocked the hell out of Harry. She had spoken to Sirius but it still surprised Harry.

"You stay here," ordered Sirius as he moved to the kitchen to get the phone. "I don't need you tracking mud through the house. Dobby would demand a raise."

Harry smirked. Dobby would do no such thing, but Harry didn't want to put more work on their house elves so he stood there in the hall. He heard a pop from the living room and poked his head inside.

Mr. Weasley's head sat in the flames of their fireplace.

"Ah, Hello, Harry," said Mr. Weasley. "I see you look as bad as Ron."

Harry grinned and shrugged. "It was just a little water fight," said Harry. "Ron started it."

"Yes, of course," said Ron's father. "And I'm sure you did your best to stop him."

Harry grinned at him. "'Course I did."

"Harry, that was- Oh, hello Arthur," said Sirius as he entered the room

"Hi, Sirius," said Mr. Weasley. He glanced at Harry then turned back to Sirius. "Do you have a moment?"

"Yes," said Sirius and he looked at Harry. "That was Hermione on the phone. Go get dried off and changed. She would like a call back."

Harry nodded at Sirius. He recognized a dismissal when he saw it. "See you later Mr. Weasley."

"Bye, Harry."

Harry went to his room and took a quick shower. Still toweling his hair, he came back down the stairs. Sirius was still in front of the fire.

"I told Arthur, Minister" Sirius said, sounding frustrated. "I don't think he's ready."

"Sirius, he has to be ready," said the face in the fire, which Harry didn't recognize. "The world is waiting – demanding – this execution and it can't happen until Harry talks to him."

"Sirius?" said Harry, looking from the fire to his godfather.

"Oh, very good," said the stranger in the fire. "Harry, my name is Stephen Goodhue. I am the new Minister of Magic."

"Nice to meet you," said Harry. "What's going on?"

"Minister, I beg-"

"Harry," said the Minister. "Did your guardian tell you about the Stay of Execution?"

"Yes," said Harry. He looked at Sirius. "I have to see him."

"Yes," said Mr. Goodhue.

Harry looked back to the fire. "So, what's the problem?" said Harry. "I'll go whenever you want me too."

"Excellent," said the Minister with a broad grin.

"Harry," said Sirius. "I don't think you're ready."

"Sirius," said Harry. "I've never been afraid to face Voldemort in my life. I won't start now when he is locked up and about to be executed."

And it was true. Why then was Harry's stomach starting to knot?

"All right, Harry."

"All right Harry," said Sirius. "Have something to eat. I'll be back in a little bit."

"Where are you going?" said Harry, trying not to sound panicked.

"I'm just going to see Moony for a few minutes."

"Remus?" said Harry. "But-"

Sirius disapparated before Harry could finish his sentence.

Harry's stomach growled but he knew he wouldn't be able to eat.

"Sorry, Dobby," said Harry as he almost knocked over their House-Elf, who held a plate of food, on his way to the kitchen.

Picking up the receiver, Harry dialed Hermione's number and managed a pleasant conversation with Mrs. Granger as he waited for Hermione to pick up the phone.

She was breathless when she got on the line.

"Harry, are you all right?"

"Yes. What-"

"I've had phone calls from everyone in Gryffindor with a phone asking about you."

Which meant anyone Muggle born or half Muggle born.

"Herm-"

"What did he say?" said Hermione.

"What did who say?"

Hermione was silent for a moment. "Voldemort, of course."

"Voldemort?" said Harry.

"Yes, Harry," said Hermione sounding frustrated. "Remember him-"

"I haven't-"

"Wait a minute. You haven't seen him, yet?"

"No," said Harry. "They only asked me ten minutes ago. What's going on?"

"Harry, he scheduled to be executed the day after tomorrow. It's all over the papers," said Hermione. "Everyone's assumed you've already seen him."

"What?"

"You didn't know?"

"No," said Harry crossly. "You know no one ever tells me anything."

Except Voldemort.

Harry ignored it.

"I guess Sirius will be taking you tomorrow," said Hermione.

"I guess."

"It'll be all right, Harry. I know it," said Hermione a lot more confident than Harry felt. "He can't hurt you."

"I know," said Harry.

"All you have to do is talk to him," Hermione went on with what now sounded like a pep talk. "You've talked to him dozens of times."

"I know," said Harry.

"Harry," Sirius' voice called from the hall.

"I've got to go, Hermione," said Harry.

"I'll talk to you soon, Harry. Call me after you talk to him if you want to."

Harry said goodbye and hung up then he turned to his godfather as he came in.

"When were you going to tell me about the execution?" said Harry, crossing his arms.

"Doesn't matter," said Sirius with an expression of sternness and determination. "You are not going."

Harry sighed. He guessed Sirius was right. It didn't matter and Harry really didn't want to go anyway.

"Get some sleep," said Sirius. "We leave first thing in the morning."