Chapter 359: The Will
Five months ago.
The Burrow.
The evening of Harry's Birthday.
Fleur led Ginny, Luna, and Colin to the cozy living room where the former Minister of Magic Rufus Scrimgeour sat on the sagging armchair that Mr. Weasley normally occupied, while Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat face to face with him on the sofa. And by the looks of it, they were already in the middle of an argument.
"You can speak to us together, or not at all," Harry said coldly to the minister, who looked equally cold and hostile.
The minister opened his mouth to retort but stopped when he noticed Fleur, Ginny, Luna, and Colin.
"Thank you for bringing them, Miss Delacour," the minister said swiftly.
"Welcome," Fleur replied without much of her sweetness. She waved her wand and conjured three chairs out of thin air beside the sofa. Then giving a quick worried look to Harry, she swept out of the room.
"Mr. Potter has declared that you would like to stay together in this discussion, do you feel the same Mr. Creevey, Miss Weasley, and Miss Lovegood?" Scrimgeour inquired looking sharply at Colin.
"Yes," Colin replied without giving it any thought and Ginny and Luna nodded. Hearing his answer Harry gave an almost invisible but happy nod at Colin.
"Very well then, together," the minister said, shrugging. "Please, take your seats."
After they sat down Scrimgeour looked around as if he noticed something for the first time.
"I don't see Miss Norton among you. Is she not here?"
Nobody was surprised by the question, or with the minister's feigned surprise.
"No, but I thought the Ministry already knew that," Ginny answered before everyone else.
"And you have no clue where she is?" Scrimgeour asked suspiciously.
"Correct," Harry said and everyone else nodded in agreement.
"Alright," Scrimgeour looked disappointed but cleared his throat looking collected. "I am here, as I'm sure you know, because of Albus Dumbledore's will."
Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Luna, and Colin looked at each other silently.
"A surprise, apparently! You were not aware then that Dumbledore had left you anything?"
"A-all of us?" asked Ron looking more surprised than others.
"Yes, all of —" Scrimgeour began but Harry interrupted.
"Dumbledore died over a month ago. Why has it taken this long to give us what he left us?"
"Isn't it obvious?" said Hermione, before Scrimgeour could answer. "They wanted to examine whatever he's left us."
"You had no right to do that!" Colin told the minister. "It's disrespecting to Dumbledore's memory."
"I had every right," said Scrimgeour dismissively. "The Decree for Justifiable Confiscation gives the Ministry the power the confiscate the contents of a will—"
"That law was created to stop wizards passing on Dark artifacts," interrupted Hermione, "and the Ministry is supposed to have powerful evidence that the deceased's possessions are illegal before seizing them! Are you telling me that you thought Dumbledore was trying to pass us something cursed?"
"Are you planning to follow a career in Magical Law, Miss Granger?" asked Scrimgeour.
"No, I'm not," retorted Hermione. "I'm hoping to do some good in the world!"
Ginny and Colin chuckled, Ron and Luna, however, couldn't help themselves and laughed out loud. Scrimgeour's eyes flickered toward them.
"So why have you decided to let us have our things now? Can't think of a pretext to keep them?" asked Harry, the only one looking serious.
"No, it'll be because thirty-one days are up," said Hermione as if she couldn't stop herself from answering. "They can't keep the objects longer than that unless they can prove they're dangerous. Right?"
"Would you say you were close to Dumbledore, Miss Lovegood?" asked Scrimgeour, ignoring Hermione.
"Professor Dumbledore was a great headmaster and teacher and a brilliant wizard. He talked to students, listen to their problems. As a student, of course, we were close." Luna calmly replied. Not even a little bit bothered by the sudden attention.
"But not enough to leave a piece of his personal heirloom to you, right?" Scrimgeour asked looking pleased.
"What —?" Ginny angrily tried to intervene but Luna spoke again,
"You are trying to listen what you want to listen, Minister sir. Yes, Professor Dumbledore was a great teacher but I thought you would know that even the best teachers have their favorites."
Realizing that he would not get anything out of Luna, Scrimgeour turned to Ron.
"What about you, Ronald?"
Ron looked startled.
"Me? No—"
"As Luna said, we were Dumbledore's favorites and we were close," Ginny said before Ron could say more.
"I wasn't asking you, Miss Weasley," Scrimgeour looked already out of patience.
"And my question is why are asking? You came here to give us the stuff Dumbledore gave us, right? Which you confiscated without any concrete basis, by the way," Ginny said defiantly.
Scrimgeour frowned and Hermione gave Ginny a small shake of her head to keep quiet. After all, Mr. Weasley still needed to work at the ministry.
The Minister, however, didn't say anything else and put his hand inside his cloak and drew out a large drawstring pouch. From it, he removed a scroll of parchment which he unrolled and read aloud.
"'The Last Will and Testament of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore'… Yes, here we are… 'To Ronald Bilius Weasley, I leave my Deluminator, in the hope that he will remember me when he uses it.'"
Scrimgeour took from the bag an object: It looked something like a silver cigarette lighter. Scrimgeour leaned forward and passed the Deluminator to Ron, who took it and turned it over in the fingers looking stunned.
"That is a valuable object," said Scrimgeour, watching Ron. "It may even be unique. Certainly, it is of Dumbledore's own design. Why would he have left you an item so rare?"
"As Luna multiple times mentioned, probably because we were his favorites," Harry said flatly before Ron could say something wrong.
"Dumbledore must have taught thousands of students," Scrimgeour persevered. "Yet the only ones he remembered in his will are you seven." (Colin noticed Harry flinched when the minister said Seven) "Why is that? To what use did he think you would put to the Deluminator, Mr. Weasley?"
"Put out lights, I suppose," mumbled Ron. "What else could I do with it?"
Luna laughed again and Ron smiled at her. After squinting at Ron for a moment or two, Scrimgeour turned back to Dumbledore's will.
"'To the youngest Weasley, Miss Ginevra Molly Weasley, I leave the first draft of "Quidditch Throughout the Ages" from my personal collection, in the hope that this book might help her in her future pursuit as a professional Quidditch player,'" Scrimgeour now pulled out of the bag a small book that looked old with its binding stained and peeling in places.
Ginny was clearly surprised by the statement Dumbledore had written down and the gift he had left for her. But she didn't show much of her surprise in front of Scrimgeour. She took the book and tentatively flipped through its pages. Scrimgeour watched her curiously.
"Why do you think Dumbledore left you that book, Miss Weasley?" He asked.
Colin noticed Ginny's eyes flickering on a handwritten Quidditch note among the Chaser maneuvers but Ginny quickly shut the book and replied, "Exactly what Dumbledore said. I like Quidditch and I do want to be a professional Quidditch player one day. Dumbledore knew that."
"What about the handwritten notes? Was that some kind of code?" Scrimgeour inquired.
Ginny looked like an angry cat about to tear Scrimgeour apart, Hermione noticed it and instantly spoke,
"If the Ministry hasn't found any hidden codes in this book in thirty-one days, I doubt that Ginny will."
After looking at Hermione to Ginny for a while, Scrimgeour went back to the will.
"'To Miss Hermione Jean Granger, I leave my copy of "The Tales of Beedle the Bard", in the hope that she will find it entertaining and instructive.'"
Scrimgeour pulled a small book that looked a lot more ancient than Ginny's book. Hermione took it from Scrimgeour without a word. She held the book in her lap and gazed at it. The title was in runes, which only Hermione and Chris could read. A tear splashed onto the embossed symbols as Hermione wiped her eyes.
"I suppose this also has nothing to do with secret codes and messages?" Scrimgeour asked, almost mocking.
"He… he knew I liked books," said Hermione in a thick voice, mopping her eyes with her sleeve.
"'To Mr. Colin Thomas Creevey, I leave the first moving photograph he took in Hogwarts and gifted me, which I treasured very much. I hope that this photograph serves as a reminder that the things you achieve by hard work will always be your most prized possessions.'" Scrimgeour pulled out a wooden photo frame and Colin's inside turned with excitement.
With shaking hands, Colin took it and stared at the photo inside the frame. It was their welcome speech more than five years ago. Dumbledore stood with a smile on his face, eyes twinkling over his half-moon spectacles and arms wide open as if he could embrace all the newcomers. Colin smiled at the picture remembering his happy and exciting and a little bit terrifying first day of Hogwarts.
"So is this also a keepsake?" Scrimgeour asked coldly.
"I guess your team had already reported that. Nonetheless, thanks for not destroying the frame and photo while looking for codes," Colin replied sarcastically.
Scrimgeour decided against dignifying Colin's comment with an answer.
"'To Luna Pandora Lovegood, I leave one of my most precious blessings, the jeweled Conch, which was gifted to me when I became the headmaster as a sign that I would bring a new era at Hogwarts. My hope is she finds this equally inspiring.'" Grumbling Scrimgeour pulled out a beautiful purple-blue Conch, it had small colorful stones attached to it which glittered as it caught the light in the room.
Luna took the conch with a smile and before Scrimgeour could ask she said, "I collect things," she pointed at her hand where she wore more than two colorful handmade bracelets, made out of stones and polished glasses. "Dumbledore knew it."
"'To Harry James Potter,'" Scrimgeour read on. "'I leave the Snitch he caught in his first Quidditch match at Hogwarts, as a reminder of the rewards of perseverance and skill.'"
As Scrimgeour pulled out the tiny, walnut-sized golden ball, its silver wings fluttered rather feebly.
"Why did Dumbledore leave you this Snitch?" asked Scrimgeour looking hanging on to his last bit of patience.
"No idea," said Harry. "For the reasons you just read out, I suppose… to remind me what you can get if you… persevere and whatever it was."
"You think this a mere symbolic keepsake, then?"
"I suppose so," said Harry with the same unbothered way. "What else could it be?"
"I'm asking the questions," said Scrimgeour, shifting his chair a little closer to the sofa, looking utterly frustrated. "I notice that your birthday cake is in the shape of a Snitch. Why is that?"
Hermione and Ginny both gave startled chuckles.
"Oh, it can't be a reference to the fact Harry's a great Seeker, that's way too obvious," Colin said with a smile. "There must be a secret message from Dumbledore hidden in the icing!"
"I don't think there's anything hidden in the icing," said Scrimgeour glaring at them. "But a Snitch would be a very good hiding place for a small object. You know why I'm sure?"
Harry shrugged, Hermione, however, answered.
"Because Snitches have flesh memories," she said.
"What?" said Colin, Harry, and Ron together, all staring at Hermione, who barely cared about Quidditch.
Ginny, however, looked at Hermione sharply. She also knew about Snitches having flesh memories but she kept quiet in front of the minister. Hermione realized her mistake as well but she was late.
"Correct," said Scrimgeour triumphantly. "A Snitch is not touched by bare skin before it is released, not even by the maker, who wears gloves. It carries an enchantment by which it can identify the first human to lay hands upon it, in case of a disputed capture. This Snitch" — he held up the tiny golden ball — "will remember your touch, Potter. It occurs to me that Dumbledore, who had prodigious magical skill, whatever his other faults, might have enchanted this Snitch so that it will open only for you."
Harry looked nervous as he gazed at the snitch.
"You don't say anything," said Scrimgeour. "Perhaps you already know what the Snitch contains?"
"No," said Harry quickly.
"Take it," ordered Scrimgeour.
Everyone held their breath as Harry held out his hand, and Scrimgeour leaned forward again and place the Snitch, slowly and deliberately, into Harry's palm.
Nothing happened. As Harry's fingers closed around the Snitch, its tired wings fluttered and were still. Scrimgeour, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Colin continued to gaze avidly at the now partially concealed ball as if still hoping it might transform in some way.
"That was dramatic," said Harry coolly. Luna, Colin, Ron, and Hermione laughed.
"Dumbledore also left you the sword of Gryffindor, Potter," said Scrimgeour getting everyone's attention back.
Harry froze for a moment before asking, "So where is it?"
"Unfortunately, that sword was not Dumbledore's to give away. The sword of Godric Gryffindor is an important historical artifact, and according to reliable historical sources, the sword may present itself to any worthy Gryffindor," said Scrimgeour. "That does not make it the exclusive property of Mr. Potter, whatever Dumbledore may have decided." Scrimgeour scratched his badly shaven cheek, scrutinizing Harry. "Why do you think--?"
"--Dumbledore wanted to give me the sword?" said Harry, struggling to keep his temper.
"Maybe he thought it would look nice on my wall."
"This is not a joke, Potter!" growled Scrimgeour. "Was it because Dumbledore believed that only the sword of Godric Gryffindor could defeat the Heir of Slytherin? Did he wish to give you that sword, Potter, because he believed, as do many, that you are the one destined to destroy He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?"
"Interesting theory," said Harry trying to calm himself down. "Will this be all? You see, I have a birthday party to get to."
Looking furious Scrimgeour stood up.
"Remember you're not at school. Remember that I am not Dumbledore, who forgave your insolence and insubordination," he spat.
"You made that very clear, sir," Colin said also standing up.
Scowling Scrimgeour stuffed the will back and started walking out but Ginny stopped him.
"What did Dumbledore left for Chris? You didn't say," she asked.
". . . that doesn't concern you, Miss Weasley," Scrimgeour said.
"It does," Harry said getting up. "Are you planning to hold onto whatever Dumbledore left for Chris?"
"Do not overstep your boundaries, Potter. I will give Miss Norton her possession when we find her," Scrimgeour replied.
"What is it?" Ginny asked again.
After a long moment of silence, Scrimgeour pulled out the parchment and read, "'To Miss Christina Agatha Norton, I leave a family heirloom, in the hope that this piece of jewelry will remind her to never lose focus from what's truly important.' . . . The heirloom is an old locket passed down to women in the Dumbledore family every generation. I believe none of you knows why Dumbledore would leave such a family heirloom to one of his students?"
No one replied.
"I thought so. Considering Miss Norton's father Mr. Norton is also absent, the ministry will hold onto this until Miss Norton arrives."
⁂
Present.
The Vampire Castle.
"And Scrimgeour left," Luna finished the story, looking up from the stuff she had spread on the table unpacking Chris's bag. "The next thing we heard about him was the time at Bill's wedding. Kingsley said the Death eaters tortured him and killed him but he didn't give away Harry's location."
"But I didn't get the locket Dumbledore left me," Chris said with a sigh, stretching on her bed. "Why do you think he left me the Dumbledore family heirloom?"
"No clue," Colin said twirling his wand on the table while watching Luna sort things out. "We were so focused about finding you, we barely gave our things a thought. But Hermione was very sure that these all are clues."
"But we had to separate before we could figure it out together," Luna said examining an empty flask. "What was in this?"
Chris looked up and glanced at the flask.
"Healing potion, the old one."
"How could you be out of healing potion, huh?" Colin joked.
Chris rolled her eyes at him and didn't reply.
"Don't worry, I will make some for you," Luna said reassuringly.
"Thanks, Luna. You are the best," Chris grinned at her.
⟦To be continued⟧
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