12 Chapter 12: “Legacy and Lordship”

The following days at Hogwarts passed in a somber yet uneventful manner. The funeral of Fleamont and Euphemia Potter was conducted with quiet dignity, attended only by those closest to the family. It was a small, private affair, befitting the wishes of the departed. For Harry, it was a brief respite from the confines of the hospital wing, a chance to say a final goodbye to his beloved grandparents.

The day following the funeral marked the reading of the wills of Fleamont and Euphemia Potter. Gringotts, the goblin-run bank, had long been the trusted custodian of such matters for many of the old wizarding families, who preferred the bank's impartiality and confidentiality over the Ministry's influence. The reading was scheduled for 7 a.m. sharp at the Gringotts London office.

Unfortunately, Harry and Charles were unable to attend, deemed safer under the continued care of Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall at Hogwarts. The risk of exposing them to potential dangers outside the castle's protective walls was too great.

The people who had bequests were contacted by Gringotts' goblins to be there on time. The guests invited to the reading, arrived punctually, dressed in formal wizarding attire and all were escorted to the reading room by the goblin guards. The list included James and Lily Potter, Sirius Black, friends of the elder Potters, and a few Ministry officials. Albus Dumbledore, though not personally invited due to his distant relationship with Fleamont and Euphemia, managed to attend as a representative of the Ministry, invited to witness the will reading.

James noted with concern the absence of the Longbottoms, whom he had expected to be present. Since the warning by Harry, the Longbottoms had been asked to remain under Fidelius for some more time and not come out prematurely to celebrate Voldemort's defeat. But James felt the absence of a person from the Longbottom family was concerning since the two families were close and he was sure he would see someone from the family here today. 

James shared his concern with Dumbledore.

"Perhaps they are still under the Fidelius and might not have received the invitation for the will reading," Dumbledore suggested, his tone embodying a reassuring calm.

James, his curiosity momentarily assuaged, redirected his focus to the podium. At precisely 7 a.m., Barchoke, the goblin in charge of the Potter account, stepped forward to commence the reading.

"Thank you for joining us for the reading of the Last Wills and Testaments of Fleamont Henry Potter and Euphemia Potter (nee Ackford)," Barchoke announced, his voice clear and authoritative. 

"The wills shall read themselves aloud, and at the conclusion, they will be entrusted to the Heir Potter for safekeeping. Parties with bequests in the wills will be presented their properties once the will reading is over. Bequests to individuals not present will be addressed later upon their contact with Gringotts. Please refrain from speaking until the reading concludes. Any interruption will result in immediate removal from the proceedings. We shall begin with the Will of Fleamont Potter."

The room settled into a hushed silence, the attendees bracing themselves for the revelations and bequests that the wills would unveil.

The solemn atmosphere in the Gringotts reading room intensified as Barchoke, the Potter family goblin, carefully unsealed and unrolled a piece of parchment. A deep, resonant voice of Fleamont Potter emanated from the paper, carrying the weight of his final words. James, overcome with emotion, closed his eyes, a gesture of grief and remembrance.

"I, Fleamont Henry Potter, declare this to be my Last Will and Testament, witnessed by my wife, Euphemia Potter (nee Ackford), and my barrister, Nathaniel Greengrass." the voice began, its tone both earnest and loving. "To my beloved wife, Euphemia, should I leave this world before you, know that my love for you and our family is everlasting. Ensure our grandchildren know of my love for them. The bulk of my private vaults I leave to you, Euphemia, save for specific bequests to our dear friends. I also leave you with the rights to manage the Potter estate till the next Lord Potter claims his ring."

The will continued, addressing the potential of both Fleamont and Euphemia's passing. "In the event of our simultaneous departure, I task my son, James Dorea Potter, to undergo the test of the Potter Lord ring. Should the ring accept him, he shall inherit the entirety of the Potter estate and the bulk of my private vaults, excluding gifts designated for friends."

A note of regret tinged Fleamont's voice as he contemplated an alternative outcome. "If James is unable to pass the test, I express my deepest apologies to my son. Our late parenthood may have shielded you from the burdens and teachings of Lordship. We thought we had time to teach you everything and mold you into the next Lord Potter, but it was not to be. For this oversight, we are deeply sorry."

"To James, I bequeath the contents of vault 560, entrusting him to be a dutiful father to both his children. To Lily Potter, nee Evans, I leave the contents of vault 561, with hopes of her continued kindness and care for our grandchildren. For my grandchildren, I have established trust vaults that would receive yearly payments till the time they graduate from Hogwarts. Without their explicit permission, nobody can access these trust vaults."

The will then acknowledged Sirius Black's special place in the Potter family. "To Sirius Orion Black, the contents of vault 562, in recognition of your unwavering loyalty and love. You were as good a son to us as James and we hope for your happiness and the start of your own family."

The Fleamont's voice in the Will then proceeded to list various bequests to friends and associates. 

Then, Fleamont's voice addressed a crucial contingency. "Should James Dorea Potter not succeed in the Lordship test, the Heirship passes to my grandson, Hadrian Ignotus Potter. Until the emergence of the next Lord Potter, the Potter estate will be frozen. The leftover contents of my personal vault will be transferred to the Potter family vault. I task the goblins with selling all the active businesses of the Potter family with the Goblins taking a 5% commission on the sale and sending the earnings to the Potter main vault."

The voice concluded with a heartfelt farewell. "My beloved family, you have brought me immeasurable pride and joy. I will watch over you always. This marks the end of my Last Will and Testament; so mote it be."

The room remained in a respectful silence as the voice faded away, each individual processing the weight of Fleamont Potter's final wishes. For James, the moment of truth approached with the impending Lordship test, a pivotal event that would determine the future of the Potter legacy.

In the solemn atmosphere of the Gringotts reading room, Barchoke efficiently rolled up Fleamont's will, securing it with a red ribbon. His professional demeanor remained unaltered as he prepared to present Euphemia Potter's will. "We shall now proceed with the will of Euphemia Potter. As before, I request silence throughout the reading," he announced, his voice echoing slightly in the quiet room.

Breaking the wax seal, Barchoke allowed Euphemia's will to unroll. The room listened intently as Euphemia's voice filled the space, her tone imbued with a gentle yet firm resolve. "I, Euphemia Potter (nee Ackford), declare this to be my Last Will and Testament, witnessed by my husband, Fleamont Henry Potter, and my barrister Nathaniel Greengrass" the voice began.

Euphemia's will echoed her husband's in many respects, bequeathing additional vaults to James, Lily, and Sirius, and ending with a heartfelt closure. "This marks the end of my Last Will and Testament; so mote it be."

Once the reading concluded, Barchoke secured Euphemia's will with another ribbon. "All right, that ends the will reading. The beneficiaries may claim their bequests at the main counter. Mr. James Potter, if you would kindly accompany me, we shall proceed with the Lordship ritual," he stated, his voice maintaining its professional neutrality.

As the other beneficiaries discreetly left the room, James, accompanied by Lily, Sirius, and Dumbledore, prepared for the next crucial phase. The air was thick with anticipation and unspoken emotions. James, his expression a complex tapestry of sorrow and resolve, stood ready to face the Lordship test. Lily, her hand clasping his, provided a silent pillar of strength, her eyes conveying both concern and support.

Dumbledore, ever the observer, remained in the background, his interest piqued by the impending Lordship test. His presence was both comforting and curious, a testament to his vested interest in the Potter family's future.