Inheritance

"So Sirius," Harry said when they finished with book three and everyone was talking about various aspects, Mad-Eye trying to get people to go with his idea of having a few order members take on the illegal animagus training to add to the spy count on their side. "You said back in Chapter 17 something about Malfoy getting in the way of your freedom?"

Flashback

"I don't know if that cat's smart or just plain stupid" Tonks said.

Hermione gave her a dirty look.

"On one hand, he came to his mistress' aid when she asked for it and was able to assist. On the other, he MUST have known Harry would be furious at Sirius."

"Well, and to add to the first," Remus said. "It allowed Harry to learn the truth."

"Hey. I was there. I would have figured it out" Ron said.

"You may be my best mate, but looking back, I doubt I would have believed that." Harry admitted. "I needed to hear it from parties who were there."

"Harry's right Ron." Sirius said. "everyone would have blamed that I used 'dark magic' to mess with your head and hide the traces."

"Is that possible?" Tonks asked.

"To mess with the head, yes." Snape said beating Mad-Eye. "To hide the trace, depends on from which wizard."

"Hate to say it, but Snape's right" Mad-Eye said. "Albus would have been able to see."

"But Fudge is too stubborn." Arthur added. "Even if Albus was in his good graces, it would be REALLY hard to convince Fudge Sirius was innocent. Especially with Malfoy in his back pocket."

"What does Malfoy have to do with this?" Harry asked.

"Because of inheritance stuff." Sirius said. "I'll explain later."

End Flashback

"Right." Sirius said. "Well, with Pure Bloods, the oldest male inherits the family fortune. My father was the oldest in our family thus, being the eldest son, it was to go to me. Now, when I was burned off, the inheritance was to go to my younger brother, but when he died, it went back to me. As long as the Black name is in circulation, then it can't go to next of kin even if the dominant one is in prison for life. Following me so far."

"I think so." Harry said.

"Good." Sirius said. "Now, after my brother died and I got the letter from Gringotts telling me that no matter how much my parents kicked and screamed, as long as one of their children is alive, they can't designate another beneficiary for the land and titles. The wealth they could break up, but apparently they didn't consider that. At that time, I was young and foolish and thinking that in a few year I'd probably join James in the land of husbandhood and fatherhood. But that wasn't to happen. The one girl I was actually considering for that was killed shortly before your parents."

Harry frowned. That had to be harsh on Sirius to have lost his love and then his best friends.

"Anyways, there is a loophole that I considered." Sirius explained further. "If I didn't, when I die or if I get kissed, my fortune will go to the next Black male. Well, Bellatrix has not children; Andromeda has only a daughter; and Narcissa has Draco. So, unless I finish what I had started back in '81, all this goes to Draco. So you can see why Malfoy wants me offed."

"So, what are the options to prevent that?" Ron asked.

"Well," Sirius said. "Tonks can get herself pregnant and have a boy"

"Like that'll happen" she muttered disgruntledly sending a longing look towards Remus.

"Or," Sirius said. "We don't have to worry. I went on and fulfilled he loophole. There's some forms that I filled out after Marlene's death naming my godson my official heir."

"So…I'm due to inherit all this IF you died?" Harry asked.

"Yes." Sirius confirmed. "Of course there were a few provisions. Both parents had to graduate from a magical school and there had to be some pureblood in you. You fulfilled both requirements so you were accepted. Now, if I was to have a son between when you were named and when I die, then my son would have first priority. Though there is a way you can inherit first."

"How?" Ron asked, his mouth full of the chicken he was eating for dinner

"Sirius could legally adopt Harry" Arthur answered.

"Really!?" Harry asked looking between Arthur and Sirius excitedly.

"It would be possible, but the process is completely different than the muggle way" Remus said "And it takes just as long."

"Moony's right" Sirius said to Harry. "As much as I would love nothing more, by the time it got around to being processed, you'd be considered an adult."

"But if you were my legal father, I'd never have to go back to the Dursleys." Harry said. "Isn't there some way we can speed the process?"

"As long as Malfoy and Fudge hold power, it'll be near impossible" Bill said.

"Albus?" Molly asked as Dumbledore looked considerate.

"Let us finish these books" Dumbledore said.